Finley Cross Country Runners Show Promise

The J. Taylor Finley Middle School boys’ and girls’ cross country teams ran their hearts out this fall. The two squads were reinforced with many new runners that complemented the veteran returnees.

Finley social studies teacher Jarrad Richter coached the 19-member strong co-ed group. The boys’ squad was captained by Rhys Carrillo and Mac Driscoll while the girls’ team was captained by Brianna Mata and Vivian Morrissey.

“The best team accomplishment of the season was our dual sweep of Elwood,” Richter said. “Both the boys and the girls squads came ready to compete that day and that preparedness showed during their races. Our top five boys finished in first, fourth, sixth, seventh and eighth while our top five girls finished third, fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth positions en route to two well-earned victories.”

The top runners on the boys’ team were seventh graders Sawyer Davis and Gregory Brandine while the top girls’ squad runners were seventh grader Vivian Morrissey and eighth grader Sara Persampire.

Sawyer Davis: Finished in the top four in every league meet this season, including two first place finishes, one second place, three third place and one fourth place. His fastest one-mile time was 5:58. He finished 17th in a field of 203 runners in the 1.5 mile Section XI middle school race at Sunken Meadow in a time of 9:57.

Gregory Brandine: Finished in the top five three separate times. His fastest mile time was 6:29. He finished 55th out of 203 runners in the 1.5 mile Section XI middle School race at Sunken Meadow in a time of 10:57.

Sara Persampire: She finished in the top five three times this fall. Her fastest mile time was 7:44. She finished 39th in a field of 129 runners in the 1.5 mile Section XI middle school race at Sunken Meadow in a time of 12:32

Vivian Morrissey: She finished in the top three times. Her fastest mile time was 7:49. She finished 46th out of 129 runners in the 1.5 mile Section XI middle school race at Sunken Meadow in a time of 12:54.

Richter praised his top runners. “Sawyer put in work from our first practice to our last meet,” he said. “He’s a talented runner who loves the sport and it shows. He’s got a bright future in cross country. Gregory did a nice job this season, improving his form and his times with each race. He’s going to be a big part of our success next year. Sara was one of the anchors for the girls’ team this year. She worked hard out there. Vivian ran some great races this season. She worked hard in practice to become a better runner and it showed. She’ll be a big part of the team next season, as well.”

The coach is determined to build a top notch cross country program at Finley. “Both the boys’ and girls’ teams came ready to run and ready to learn this season, not only what it means to be cross country runners, but what it mean to be a team,” Richter said. “We had a lot of fun this year.”

Richter is hopeful the program is turning a corner and will get stronger and stronger. He’s already looking forward to next fall.

“While the boys’ team should be returning nine runners, we're always looking for enthusiastic athletes for both the boys’ and girls’ teams,” Richter said. “Come be a part of our growing Finley Middle School cross country program.”