Andrew Pearson - Asheville Citizen-Times
HENDERSONVILLE — Looks could not have been more deceiving Saturday afternoon at the Western North Carolina Cross Country Carnival.
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Roberson sophomore Brooke Gordon walked around the grassy grounds of Jackson Park with a protective boot on her left foot.
Just hours earlier, Gordon had run a time in the girls championship race (18 minutes, 56.46 seconds) that was a hair under what former 4-A state champion Laura Hoer logged in 2009 (18:57.54)
Hoer is now a freshman at N.C. State and widely regarded as one of the top distance runners in WNC history.
Gordon does not wear the boot during races, just outside of competition and training.
“I thought I was about to have a stress fracture this summer, and it's more preventative than anything,” said Gordon, who will have to wear the boot for two more weeks. “I'm pretty happy to start the season this way. I felt good about the race.”
Gordon placed second in her division Saturday to Charlotte Latin's Haylee Dawe (18:48.62), part of a strong day for WNC runners in the 10th annual Carnival, which attracted more than 1,000 athletes.
As a team, the Rams were third (75) behind Charlotte Latin (68) and Chapel Hill (62) with Roberson seniors Alyson Arrington (ninth place, 19:43.10), Alexa Harvey (13th, 20:01.38) and Marie Mauhar (25th, 20:44.60) joining Gordon in the top 10.
“We ran well,” Roberson coach Dave Culp said. “We knew there would be some good teams here today and we weren't disappointed.”
Pisgah sophomore Mackenzie Galyean won the girls invitational race in 20:44.04. Roberson freshman Brooke Smith took first in the open race (22:17.76), allowing the Rams (27 points) to win that division.
On the boys side, Hayesville senior Tyler Breedlove flew into the finish chute with a personal record (16:21.78), the fastest time by any WNC boy Saturday and good enough for fifth in the championship division.
“It hasn't hit me yet,” Breedlove said with a smile.
Breedlove was a member of the All-WNC team in 2009 after finishing fourth at last year's 1-A meet. He transferred to Franklin for the second half of his junior season.
“I thought it was the right move for me and that the better competition would help,” Breedlove said. “But I realized that I need to be here at Hayesville. The training is better suited to me. I felt good out there, and I thought I did really well.”
Roberson junior Cole Rains (eighth place, 16:24.58) led the way as the Rams finished an area-best third (99 points) in the team standings.
Franklin senior Canyon Woodward won the invitational boys race in 17:04.39.
