Switz Co. hosts inaugural Pacer invitational

Submitted story

(VEVAY, IN) -- On Saturday, September 30th, the Switzerland County Pacer Cross Country program played host to eight other schools competing in the inaugural Pacer Invitational.   

Under near perfect running conditions, cross country fans from Indiana and Kentucky gathered along the course to support over 100 student athletes that were competing in the 3.1 mile events.

"Today was a great day to be a Pacer," says Lady Pacer Cross Country coach Tye Sullivan. "When we are able to host this type of event on campus and to showcase our cross country program, I think it will encourage other Pacer student athletes to want to participate in this sport and to be a part of something big moving forward."

As a team, the Lady Pacers made a statement on Saturday morning as they secured three of the top five positions, leading to an overall team championship for Switzerland County.

The Lady Pacers finished with 29 overall points and were followed closely by team runner-up, Brownstown Central with 41 pts.   

Eastern (Pekin) was third with 67 pts and Clarksville was fourth with 95 pts.   Boone County (KY), Shawe Memorial, Rising Sun, Scottsburg and Carroll County (KY) also participated, but did not field a full team score.

Freshman Ellie Keith continued her very strong cross country season, finishing the race in 22:09, earning individual runner-up honors in front of the hometown crowd. 

"Ellie has had a great season and I am really looking forward to what the next two weeks have in store for her and her teammates," says coach Sullivan. 

Fellow multisport athletes, Claire Rogers and Lainie McAlister finished just moments later in 22:50 (4th) and 23:04 (5th), respectively.   

Ashlyn Covington ran a season PR in 24:09 to lock in a top 10 finish in 9th place overall. Amber Detmer, just returning from a recent foot injury, rounded out the scoring for the Lady Pacers, finishing in 25:05 (14th).   

"I have told the girls countless times this season that our 1-2-3 runners are going to put us in a position to compete each race, but it will be our 4-5-6 runners that will help secure any team championships at this point in the season." 

Carlee Boggs joined her teammates with top 20 individual honors, finishing in 25:59 (19th).   Icia Calvo and Jazmyn Blevins also competed for the Lady Pacers, finishing in 29:07 (32nd) and 29:21 (34th), respectively. 

The Lady Pacers now shift their focus to the Hanover College Cross Country course, site of next weekend's ORVC Championship on Oct 7th. and then the IHSAA Sectional on Oct. 14th.   Be sure to come out and support your Lady Pacer runners!