By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–It was a busy Labor Day weekend for Union City Schools cross country runners.
The high school program competed in back-to-back races Friday and Saturday, running first at Martin in the Soybean Invitational, then in Memphis at the City Auto Memphis Twilight Classic.
UC Middle School runners joined in on Saturday.
Senior Cedrion Cook won first place for the UCHS boys in the Martin event, his time of 17:19.50 far outdistancing the other 44 runners and beating the second-place finisher by more than a minute. Cameron McLendon came in 16th (22:38.10) and was the next-best showing for the Tornadoes, who placed fourth in the team competition.
Freshman Kennedi Robinson was second overall in the girls’ race with a time of 21:08.80. Adeline Rice, another UC freshman, came in eighth (24.42.40) to give the Lady Tornadoes a second Top 10 finisher.
There were 22 individual entries in the field that drew runners from five schools.
On Saturday, both Union City programs participated in a large and ultra-competitive field in Shelby County.
Cook (17:29.04) was the top Purple and Gold finisher, coming in 62nd among more than 370 participants from over 65 other schools.
Cole Suiter, McLendon, Brendan Meade and Kajaylon Bell rounded out the Twisters’ Top 5.
Bailey Wagoner’s time of 23:05.96 made her the top Union City finisher in a field of 317 with more than 50 schools included.
Chloe Meade, Lizzy Jones, Myranda Parr and Lennon Bing all also competed for the Lady Tornadoes.
Brylee Patrick was 47th (8:51.63) in the middle school competition and Blythe Ogden 49th (8:53.27) for the UC girls. Ainsley Beard (9:05.81) placed 55th. Rori Howell and Briley McKinney rounded out the Tornado team scores.
Union City finished 8th in the 10-team field. There were 129 individuals in the race with entries from 24 schools.
For the UCMS boys, Rushdon Howell was 43rd (7:40.53) and Andrew Beard 53rd (7:51.87) among 143 runners. Sean Clay also competed for the Twisters.
“The Memphis meet is so big and competitive, even more competitive than the state championship,” UC head coach Katie Parr said. “I always like for us to challenge ourselves and see where we fall against elite competition.
“I am so proud of all of the kids. Almost every runner made improvement in their times, some by several minutes.”
Union City’s next high school meet is Thursday at Milan, with the middle schoolers competing at Greenfield the same day.