The Natchitoches Central High School (NCHS) boys’ and girls’ cross country teams made school history by qualifying for the state championship meet for the first time while competing in the LHSAA Division 2 – Region 1 Championships at Acadiana Park in Lafayette on Thursday, Nov. 5.
Senior Aiden Cooper led the Chiefs with a 5K time of 17:52, finishing 24th overall, earning All-Region honors and securing an automatic qualifying bid to the state championship meet.
The remaining scoring runners were Pierce Hyams (26th, 18:02), Patrick Martinez (32nd, 18:13), Weston Dunagan (36th, 18:21) and Tate Scribner (52nd, 19:32).
Gabriel Bush (61st, 20:42) and Joseph Stephens (68th, 21:31) rounded out the boys’ finishers.
The Chiefs placed sixth in the team competition, qualifying for state with a 5K team average of 18:24. The performance marked the fastest team average by an NCHS cross country team in 20 years.
Freshman Molly Morris led the Lady Chiefs with a personal-best 5K time of 25:15, finishing 45th overall.
The remaining scoring runners were Cora Scribner (54th, 28:19), Emery Bryant (55th, 28:40), Isabela Soto (56th, 28:44) and Carsyn Goings (60th, 29:38).
Khloe Willis (61st, 29:48) and Bella Clark (68th, 31:08) completed the Lady Chiefs’ finishers.
The girls’ team secured the eighth and final qualifying position in the team competition with a 5K team average of 28:07.
Both the Chiefs and Lady Chiefs will conclude their historic seasons at the LHSAA Cross Country Championships in Natchitoches on Nov. 16.
Pictured: On front row, from left are Molly Morris, Cora Scribner, Emery Bryant, Jenna Garcie, Carter Jackson, Bella Clark, Khloe Willis, Isabela Soto and Carsyn Goings. On back row are Jackson Henderson, Brian Morris, Joseph Stephens, Weston Dunagan, Braxton Lambert, Patrick Martinez, Aiden Cooper, Pierce Hyams, Tate Scribner, Tano Eleyae and Gabriel Bush.