Winning the Lexington County Cross-Country Championships has become a tradition for Lexington High. As new schools have risen in the county, the Wildcats have continued to dominate. Their latest championship won Aug. 29 was their 11th consecutive victory in the event. “The county meet is a great way to start the season,” head coach Bailey Harris said. “They are always several good individuals and teams. A lot of state champions in all divisions have come out of Lexington County.” Junior William Johnson led the way for Lexington in defending his individual title for the second straight year. According to Harris, he and freshman teammates Zander Jeffcoat, who placed third, and Owen Harries will play a major role in the team’s chances in the region and state. Harris said seniors Trey Burns and Tyler Myers and junior Sol Shaffer need to “really step up and be consistent” for the team to reach a high level. He sees potential in eighth grader Ethan Kurtz, who won the junior varsity title of the championships. While Dutch Fork won the girls’ team competition for the 6th straight year, runner-up Lexington had the top overall finisher in junior Ava Grace Fowler. It’s the first year at the helm for head coach Tanner Graham, an Irmo High School graduate who spent the past two years at Lexington Middle School. “Lexington has had a strong cross country and track program,” Graham said. “The administration and athletic directors are helpful and want to see all sports succeed. I wanted to coach at the highest level for high schools.” Graham’s goal is to contend with Dutch Fork for the Region 5-5A title. The Lady Wildcats are seeking their first region title since 2012. Placing in the top 7 at the state meet is a second goal. In addition to Fowler, the Lady Wildcats will be relying on transfer Sarae Rufener and ninth grader Jessie Brandenburg.

LEXINGTON COUNTY X-COUNTRY MEET RESULTS

(BOYS - TOP 15 FINISHERS)

1. William Johnson (Lexington), 2. Jaden Kingsley (Chapin), 3. Zander Jeffcoat (Lexington), 4. Heath McDonald (Lexington), 5. Chris Conrick (River Bluff), 6. Karylnn Burgdorff (Pelion), 7. Jacob Mangione (River Bluff), 8. Jonathan Tan (River Bluff),

9. Garrett Spangler (Dutch Fork), 10. Trey Burns (Lexington), 11. Owen Harries (Lexington), 12. William Moran (River Bluff), 13. Ethan Dyer (River Bluff), 14. Solomon Shafer (Lexington), 15. Tyler Myers (Lexington)

TEAM RESULTS

1. Lexington, 2. River Bluff, 3. Dutch Fork, 4. White Knoll, 5. Chapin,

6. Pelion, 7. Gray Collegiate, 8. Gilbert,

9. Swansea

(GIRLS - TOP 15 FINISHERS)

1. Ava Grace Fowler (Lexington), 2. Brianna Hartley (Dutch Fork), 3. Riley Edwards (Pelion), 4. Elise Hall (Dutch Fork), 5. Sarae Rufener (Lexington), 6. Madelyn Gomez (River Bluff), 7. Alexis Vandervelde (Dutch Fork), 8. Abigail White (Chapin), 9. Lauren Devaney (Dutch Fork), 10. Allie Clemens (White Knoll), 11. Mackenzie Maier (Dutch Fork), 12. Jessie Brandenburg (Lexington), 13. Rielly Jackson (Lexington), 14. Kadence Hope Alexander (River Bluff), 15. Hannah Gabi Hart (River Bluff)

TEAM RESULTS

1. Dutch Fork, 2. Lexington, 3. River Bluff, 4. White Knoll, 5. Pelion, 6. Chapin

TENNIS

Aug. 29 scores

Gilbert 6, Batesburg-Leesville 0

Singles

Lydia Roxburgh (G) def. Hannah Derrick 6-4 6-4 Abby Kandare (G) def. Caroline Bedenbaugh 6-1 6-0 Emily Lewis (G) def. Catherine Bedenbaugh 6-1 6-1 McKenna Manley (G) defeated Keiley Frye 6-0 6-2 Madison Brown (G) defeated Riley Bundrick 6-1 6-1

Doubles

Kate Van Horne/Sarah Wells (G) defeated Morgan Price/Stephanie Lopez 6-2 6-7 (10-3)

Aug. 28 scores

River Bluff 3, Rock Hill 2 (26-24, 25-16, 16-25, 22-25, 15-7)

Aug. 29 scores

Pelion 3, Silver Bluff 2 (25-21, 25-20, 22-25, 23-25, 15-11)

River Bluff 6, Dreher 0

Singles

Liyin Zhu (RB) d. Grace Stricklin 6-0, 6-0 Claire Floyd (RB) d. Isabel Montague 6-1, 6-0 Victoria Votion (RB) d. Canaan Michel 6-1, 6-0 Kiana Thatcher (RB) d. Gayle Boyd 6-0, 6-0 Shelby Byers (RB) d. Alexis Cole 6-1, 6-0

Doubles

Riley Mitchell/Jillian Leitzsey (RB)

d. Tymia Bates/Evie Dillard 6-0, 6-0

VOLLEYBALL

Aug. 30 scores Gilbert 3, Batesburg-Leesville 1

Jayla Barr had 10 serves and 10 assists, Zoe Jackson had 23 successful passes, eight successful serves and four kills and Belle Summers had 12 successful serves for the Lady Panthers.

Nation Ford 2, River Bluff 0 (23-25, 13-25)

Aug. 31 scores River Bluff 2, Hilton Head Island 0 (25-21, 25-11) River Bluff 2, James Island 0 (25-23, 25-23) River Bluff 1, Ashley Hall 1 (25-27, 28-26)

GIRLS GOLF

Aug. 30 scores Gilbert 165, Chapin 168, A.C. Flora 194

The Lady Indians improved to 5-0 on the season following the tri-match win at Ponderosa Country Club. Kennedy Gooding fired a school record 33. She was followed by Alexis Hodge (42), Meredith Price (44), Anna Moss (46) and Edie Raine Hardee

(46) Emily Baker fired a 38 for the Lady Eagles.

SWIMMING

River Bluff teams stay perfect

The River Bluff boys and girls’ teams remain undefeated after defeating North Augusta 94-73 on Aug. 30. Juniors Coleman Campbell and Jack Roddey both took first place in their individual teams and Meagan Strynar, Katie Horan, and Anneliese Rypkema all took placed first for the girls.