Several Eels see big improvements at THSB State Preview

The first time Clay City’s cross country programs paid a visit to LaVern Gibson Championship Course, the host site of the Terre Haute North Sectional as well as the State Finals, this season came at the annual Valley Kickoff on Aug. 17.

The temperatures were hovering in the low to mid-90s and the competition was some of the best the Eels will season the entire season.

Three weeks later, and with two additional meets under their belt, Clay City was back at LaVern Gibson on Saturday morning. Taking part in The Hometown Savings Bank State Preview, and with the weather feeling more fall-like, Clay City finished fourth in the Class 1A-3A boys race behind only Barr-Reeve, Heritage Christian and South Vermillion and fifth in the Class 1A-3A girls race behind Barr-Reeve, Heritage Christian, Owen Valley and Beech Grove.

Senior Jayden Hickenbotham led the way in the boys meet, finishing ninth overall with a time of 18:05. Joining Hickenbotham in the top 30 included Luke Swearingen (13th with a time of 18:23), Brady Hauer (26th with a time of 18:57) and Luke Laswell (28th with a time of 19:08) while Brayden Wiram, Grady Paddock and Mason Lucas rounded out the scoring for the Eels.

Sophomore Ashley Martinez-Morales continued her strong start to her second high school season, finishing 12th overall with a time of 22:43. She was joined in the top 35 by freshmen Ashely Duckwall (32nd with a time of 24:04) and Shelby Hofmann (34th with a time of 24:05. The Lady Eels rounded out their scoring with Syndey Lowdermilk, Lydia Grant, Millie Withers and Tessa Stagg.

With it being their second time on the historic course this year, as well as a 40-degree drop in temperature, several Clay City runners cut into their times from Aug. 17 to Saturday. Among those who saw the biggest improvements included the following: Lowdermilk (-2:16), Hofmann (-2:12), Jack Edwards (-2:00), Reagan Tucker, (-1:57), Duckwall (-1:47), Jenna Hofmann (-1:31), Paddock (-1:30), Ethan Schopmeyer, (-1:19), Stagg (-1:17), Elliott Corbin (-1:16) and Hauer (-0:47).