CFNN Reporter Alden Bostic
This past weekend, the Colts competed in the NCHSAA 3A Mideast Regional 2021 Cross Country meet in Pittsboro at Northwood High School. Cape Fear competed presumably well, especially the boys team! Many runners said this course was one of the hardest they have ever run. The diverse elevation, hills and other obstacles made the course very challenging.
The girls ran solid times considering the difficulty of the race. Iris Terwilliger ran a time of 23:09, leading the women’s team to secure a 12th place finish. Natilie Autry ran one of her best times this season, finishing with a time of 24:09. Corrine McGuire crossed the finish line at a time of 24:34. The Colts future lead runner Lakin Clevidence ran a time of 27:19. Brinlee Risenmay finished her high school XC career with one of her best times this season, a 25:07.
The boys placed tied for 7th out of the 18 teams who raced with 247 points. Max Risenmay led the team to a great finish finishing in 15th place with a time of 17:37. He was the only Cape Fear runner to qualify for the state championship race.
“I’m especially happy for Max for posting his all-time best race time on a challenging course at regionals and will compete for his first time at the state meet,” said Head Coach Matt Hanes. “I wish him the very best of luck as he competes early in the morning on a cold November day on a tough course in Kernersville!”
Behind Risenmay was Maddox Terwilliger, finishing in 36th place with a time of 18:43. The rest of the team who scored, Caleb Knudesen, Collin Gaddy, and Alden Bostic were seniors, which made this race the last of their high school Cross Country career.
“I had a great four years running for Coach Hanes. His dedication to this team was unbelievable, I would never want to run for anyone else,” said Senior Captain Alden Bostic. Since Caleb, Collin and I can’t run anymore, it is time to pass the torch off to the younger kids. With Max already qualifying for states individually and Noah right behind him, I think the Mens Cape Fear Cross Country program will do just fine in the next couple of years.”
“I’m very proud of both the girls and boys XC teams this year. Many athletes had many successes and new personal best times and hopefully had a great experience being part of the Cape Fear Cross Country family,” said Hanes after the race.
Not only was this the last race for all of the seniors, but this was also the last race for Coach Hanes. He has decided to retire and pass on the coaching responsibility to Coach Jose Acosta. He is looking forward to spending more time with his family.
“I’m very blessed to have had the opportunity to build up the cross country program here at CF and to have coached many fantastic young men and women over the past 20 years, 18 at CF. I now turn over the program to Jose Acosta, a new science teacher and coach here at CF,” said Coach Hanes. “He is very excited to take over and continue the strong legacy that I leave behind. I feel like the program is in good hands! Thanks for the blessings and memories that are ingrained in my heart, mind and soul. I’ll still be “around” and probably will always be visible at a few workouts and races…”
Come out to Kernersville, NC this Saturday, November 6th and cheer on Max Risenmay while he competes in the State Championship against the fastest runners in all of North Carolina!
Cape Fear News Network 