NORTH VERNON – Bedford North Lawrence’s Autumn Spence crashed Floyd Central’s party at the front of the race while earning All-Hoosier Hills Conference honors in Saturday’s league meets at Jennings County.
Spence finished third overall, setting a new personal record, as the Stars settled for fifth place in the team competition. Floyd Central, with four scorers among the top five, easily won the girls team title with 19 points while BNL totaled 104.
In the boys race, the Highlanders prevailed with 28 points while BNL was fifth with 153.
Spence, continuing her torrid pace as BNL races into the postseason, crossed the line in 19:30.06. Floyd’s Jaydon Cirincione was the individual champion in 18:47.11. The top seven earned All-Conference awards, while BNL’s Grace Tanksley was honorable mention while finishing 13th in a career-best 20:36.96.
“That was outstanding,” BNL coach Jill Vance said. “It’s a very strong conference, Given the competition, it was a wonderful day. It’s been a while since we had two girls up that high.
“Autumn has had a chance to train at a peak level, and we’re really seeing what she is capable of doing. I don’t doubt that she will drop more time.”
Mya Roberts was 30th overall in a season-best 22:08.22.
In the boys race, BNL congregated its runners together. Cole Baker was 30th in 17:56.74, Coltons Sons was 33rd in 18:06.65, and Cameron Haste was 34th in 18:15.06.
“We had some good performances, especially in the thoughts of packing up with our individuals,” BNL coach Jonathan Calhoun said. “We did great, however our packs need to keep moving forward to help us make it out of the sectional. It is do well or go home. It’s going to be tough and close.“
Jennings County’s Gavin Hendrix was the overall winner in 15:56.66.
The Stars will compete in the IHSAA sectionals at BNL on Oct. 10. The top five teams, plus the top 10 individuals who are not members of advancing teams, will qualify for the regional.
Hoosier Hills Conference
Saturday at Jennings County
Boys results
Team scores – Floyd Central 28, Jennings County 62, Seymour 62, New Albany 86, BNL 153, Jeffersonville 195, Columbus East 212, Madison 214
Top performances – 1. Gavin Hendrix, JC 15:56.66; 2. Hunter Griffin, FC 15:59.86; 3. Aaron Lord, NA 16:00.65; 4. Will Conway, FC 16:08.55; 5. Weston Naville, FC 16:17.39
BNL – 30. Cole Baker 17:56.74; 33. Colton Sons 18:06.65; 34. Cameron Haste 18:15.06; 42. Isaac Williams 18:45.44; 49. Zane Thompson 19:05.13; 50. Max Klein 19:07.50; 52. Chase Turner 19:11.36
Girls results
Team scores – Floyd Central 19, Columbus East 87, Seymour 92, Madison 97, BNL 104, Jennings County 114, Jeffersonville NS, New Albany NS
Top performances – 1. Jaydon Cirincione, FC 18:47.11; 2. Savanna Liddell, FC 19:25.45; 3. Autumn Spence, BNL 19:30.06; 4. Kaitlyn Stewart, FC 19:41.44; 5. Natalie Clare, FC 19:53.49
BNL – 13. Grace Tanksley 20:38.96; 30. Myra Roberts 22:08.22; 36. Kaitlyn Phillips 23:10.10; 44. Ella Peek 24:08.86; 50. Emily Bartlett 25:24.45; 58. Emma Baumgart 28:57.73
