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- Nationals
Friday, April 19, 2024
PORTLAND, OREGON – Southlake Cross Country & Track Club’s top 7 boys and top 7 girls teams competed against the best runners in the nation at Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Oregon on Saturday.
The girls came away with 9th in the nation and the boys took 11th in the nation. This is the 13th year that Nike has hosted this prestigious meet for the top two boys and top two girls teams in each of the eight regions around the country. Morning rain and temperatures in the mid-40’s were familiar conditions for these runners as they navigated the race at the Glendover Golf Course filled with hills and plenty of mud.
The girls’ team entered the race as the South Region champions and placed 9th, moving up 6 spots over last year. Gillian Mortimer came across the finish line first for the girls team, coming in 47th place overall. Next was Cate Tracht coming in 57th place, Sofia Santamaria came in 111th, Ali White placed 121st, Angie Riera 129th, Ari Lopez 152nd and Sarah McCabe 174th.
The boys’ team placed 11th, moving up 5 spots from last year and were led by Reed Brown who came in 6th place overall, earning him All-American honors. Charlie Gardner crossed the line next for the Southlake boys in 62nd place, Nicolas Fernandes came in 112th place, Evan Dunkel was next in 139th, Connor Rutledge 146th, Enzo Mortimer 170th and Juan Arcilla 190th.
Head Coach Justin Leonard said, “Nike Nationals is an unbelievable event and the best way possible to cap off a season. We are extremely proud of the way our teams competed and finished amongst the nations best. With the girls finishing 9th and the boys 11th in the country we were able to secure a 2nd place program finish. I’m extremely proud of our seniors and Reed Brown for his 6th place All-American finish.”
The Emerald Belles were named National Champions at the MA National Drill Team Competition. The event was held March 21-22 at the Fort Worth Convention Center. The team won first place overall in their division which earned them their title along with National Championship jackets (see first video posted below). The Belles also took first place in High Kick and Lyrical, and second place in Jazz. A video from the High Kick performance during the competition is the second featured video posted below.
“This is the first time for the Belles to go to a national competition and I’m so proud of their accomplishments,” said Melissa Page, Emerald Belle Director.
The Belle officers won the highest awards at the competition. Receiving first place in all three of their dances and first place overall. The officers were also awarded National Champions and will receive rings.
In the Solo category, out of over 480 entries, four of the Belles placed in the finals. In the 11/12 division Lacey Munoz won second place and Anna Grace Pruitt took fifth place. In the 9/10 division Jessica Bowman was awarded eighth place and Claire Berutti ninth place. In the Duet category Peyton Faltys and Claire Berutti took third place.
Jessica Stephenson, Brooke Davis, Samantha Koszarek, Cayla Contardi, Abby Keyes, Berkley McFarlin, Tatum Wallace, Morgan Wilson, Aspen Reid, Emily Collins, Christina Wettig, Sophia Parrish, Tiffany Springer, and Ryleigh Malloy entered as a Large Ensemble and won first place overall and named National Champions in the category.
For more information about the MA National Dance Championship, click here.
The Emerald Belles dance/drill team includes Carroll ISD students in grades 9-12. More information about the team can be read on the Emerald Belles website.