White, Toler claim individual honors in GRC Coaches' Classic

The George Rogers Clark High School boys and girls cross country teams placed second in the seventh annual George Rogers Clark Coaches’ Classic Saturday at Lykins Park.
The event featured 26 teams from across the state and 427 runners. The meet served as a tuneup for the Region 7 Class 3A and 2A  in November at Lykins Park.
“Last year we were one of the biggest races in Kentucky and we doubled our race size Saturday,” Clark coach Dodd Dixon said.
In the boys race, North Laurel claimed top honors with a low score of 49. The Cardinals placed second with a score of 65 followed by Madison Central third with a 97. Harlan County was fourth (116), followed by Southwestern (151), Bath County (169), Powell County (214), Wolfe County (272), Harrison County (273) and South Laurel (290).
In individual competition, Clark’s Alex White placed first in a meet record and course record time of 16:53.64. White, a senior, remains undefeated on his home course, a span that has lasted two years. White’s nearest competitor was David Lee who finished 27 seconds behind White in a time of 17:20.00. Evan Staviski of Bath placed third, followed by Clark’s Grayson Brookshire, who finished fourth overall in a time of 17:38.26. Brookshire and Powell County’s Mark Ventura battled the entire race with Brookshire beating out Ventura by a few seconds.
Ben Petrey was Clark’s third finisher completing the course in 18:33.68. James Banks was the Cards’ fourth runner and finished with a time of 19:00.94, followed by Brandon Bailey, Cody Cox and Clay Dixon.
In the seven year history of the meet, Clark has won five times and North Laurel has won twice. The Jaguars and Cards are in a dead heat for second in the region behind Pulaski County going into the final stretch of the regular season.
“We had several tired runners entering the meet (Saturday),” Dixon said. “Our focus is on November and we hope to be the best team we can be at the end of the season.”
In the girls team competition, Pulaski County was first with a 57, followed by Clark with a 60. Southwestern was third (61), followed by Madison Central.
Clark’s Tiffany Toler placed first in a time of 20:32.32, followed by teammate Cora Kerber. The one-two combination of Toler and Kerber was a surprise to many at the meet.
Following Kerber was North Laurel’s Julia Brewer and Pulaski County’s Alyssa Hyden.
Madison Central’s Gabby Sabino, who won an event at Lykins Park two weeks ago, missed the race.
Lydia Gapp was Clark’s third runner completing the distance in 22:35.31, followed by Alyssa Gaunce 23:41.51 and Genna Petrey 24:19.97. Lindy Darnell was Clark’s sixth finisher followed by Callie Miller.
In the boys junior varsity race, Clark runners John Hinely, Jacob Mansfield, Gary Coleman, Alan Barnett and Brandon Burris combined to take first place.
In the boys middle school competition, South Laurel placed first with Conkwright placing sixth and Clark Middle placing seventh.
Harrison County won the middle school girls competition with Conkwright girls placing third and Clark Middle fourth.
In the boys sixth grade-and-under competition, Montgomery County claimed top honors with Southwestern second, St. Agatha third, Clark County Christian fourth, and Bourbon County fifth. Pulaski County girls placed first in the sixth grade-and-under competition, while St. Agatha took fourth and Clark Christian sixth.