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Cross-country runners from Polk County High School and Polk County Middle School matched up Friday with runners from across the state at the Friday Night Lights XC Festival in Kernersville.

Coaches and runners from both schools trekked across the state Friday to compete at Ivey Redmon Sports Complex, the site of the high school state championship meet. The joint meet allowed runners from both schools to support each other, and the Wolverine runners got to meet athletes from schools such as Grimsley in Greensboro, where former Polk standout Seth Peoples serves as head coach.

“The trip was long and exhausting,” said Polk County head coach Alan Peoples. “However, everyone agreed that they would like to go again next year. It was a great trip, we have great kids, and I look forward to next time.”

Polk County’s Karsyn Huskey delivered a fourth-place effort in the Girls Open field, recording a time of 20:31. South Rowan’s Hope Julian won the race with a time of 20:06.60.

Carmen Diez-Grande (28:07.40), Emma Blomeley (29:13.80), and Kendra Kitchen (29:27.70) also ran for the Wolverine girls.

Polk County’s boys placed 18th in the 29-team Boys Open field. Davis Young placed 35th in 18:36.70 to lead the Wolverines, followed by Liam Jackson at 19:26.30. Dean Holland recorded a time of 21:10.00, with Philip Teague at 21:19.90 and Ethan Jenne rounding out the scoring at 21:35.90.

Sam Rhein (21:36.60), Austin Shipman (23:58.40), Jayvin Clark (24:24.40) and Mas Butterfield (32:24.40) also competed for Polk County.

Polk Middle’s girls team earned a 10th-place showing in the 21-team field that competed in a two-mile race. Amberina Jenne placed 42nd in a time of 14:19.40 to pace the Wolverines, followed by Sophia Junge (15:33.10) and Allie Vanderploeg (15:35.70).

Addyson Dedmon (16:30.30), Kayla Hayford (16:35.50), Addie Blackwell (17:21.70) and Georgia Butler (19:44.30) rounded out Polk Middle’s participants.

The Polk Middle boys placed 15th out of 22 teams. Noah Hammond led the Wolverines, finishing 57th with a time of 13:10.90. Jacob Jenne followed in 13:22.60, Davis Holbert crossed in 13:39.30, and Drew Young finished in 15:04.10.

Ellis Searcy finished in 15:58.30, with Paxton Gibbs at 16:04.40.