Polk County Wolverine Cross Country teams raced their season opener Saturday, Aug. 23 at the Western North Carolina Cross Country Carnival held at Jackson Park in Hendersonville, N.C. In it’s fourteenth year this carnival was one the largest yet, hosting over 1400 runners from the western region and from several bordering states.
The Wolverines competed in the Boys and Girls Invite and Open races. The Wolverine boys placed tenth out of 31 teams in the Invite. Junior Sean Doyle, a 2013 NCHSAA 2A State qualifier, lead the Wolverine squad finishing eleventh overall in 18:28. Junior Mitchell Brown took twentieth with a time of 19:02, followed by Mark Federman (19:46, 49th). Seniors Eli Hall (20:57, 100th) helped pace newcomer Caleb Brown (20:57.6, 101st) who joined the team following a successful outdoor track season last spring. Other Polk competitors included Jake Russell 21:00 and Will Sachse 22:42. Other Wolverines competing in the Open event: Al Russell will look to be moved up in team rank as his 21:37 performance overshadowed some upperclassmen efforts. Conner Holtz ran 25:15 and Luke Collins 29:56.
The Lady Wolverines were sixth out of 28 teams. It was no surprise that India Godlock led the Wolverine pack placing fifth in 22:07. Newcomer and Senior Emily Kocher sparked a strong showing for Polk with her first 5K performance of 23:29 and eighteenth place overall finish. Hayley Kropp (24:55, 46th) helped pace teammates Allison Swope (25:39, 68th) and Selena Chavez (25:47, 73rd) to round out the Wolverine scorers. Ashton Capozzi moved into an open slot for the team in the Invite event after learning teammate Leah Hardin became ill. Capozzi a new to the sport Freshman posted a strong first showing in 26:40, followed on her heels by track stand-out Savannah Robbins 26:43. Shelby Wells also competed for the Wolverines 28:51. Freshmen Haven Dufford took 50th with a time of 29:23 in the Open event followed by Sophie Young 29:59.
The Wolverines will be in action for the first time at Landrum High School on Tuesday, Aug. 26. Race time is 5 p.m.

-article submitted
by Jenny Wolfe