Lower temperatures and low humidity greeted 235 runners from 11 schools Thursday at the Vac & Dash Cross Country Clash in three races on the challenging course at Chuck Morehead Park.

The field of runners from 1A, 2A and 3A traditional high schools, charter schools and home school ran the hilly course in three different races

Men’s Varsity

The varsity boys ran first with South Stanly’s Ranfere Garcia leading the way for the first half of the race. Asheboro’s Michael Britt shadowed Garcia to get a feel for the course.

On the second lap of the challenging course, Britt passed Garcia and pulled away for the victory. The Blue Comet runner ran the 3.1-mile course with a time of 19:26.

East Lincoln’s Noah Lesser crossed the finish line next in 19:45. Garcia held off Mount Pleasant’s Lincoln Baxter for third place. The Rebel Bull freshman finished in 20:02 with Baxter crossing the finish line four seconds later.

West Stanly’s Korbin McNeill (20:24) and James Shue (20:30) took fifth and sixth place.

South Stanly’s Daniel Vazquez topped East Lincoln’s Austin Greene for seventh place by two seconds in 20:29.

With the top ten runners earning T-shirts and medals, Nicholas Paschal of Asheboro edged out Salisbury’s Michael Lowry 20:37 to 20:38 to round out the top ten.

North Stanly’s Nick McClure placed 11th with a 20:44 run.

East Lincoln won the meet with a team low score of 59. They were followed by West Stanly (71), South Stanly (76), Asheboro (111), Greater Cabarrus Athletic Association (137), North Stanly (140), Salisbury (182), Gray Stone (186), Mount Pleasant (205) and Montgomery Central (307).

Women’s Varsity

East Lincoln’s Marlene Delgado led the way from start to finish to win the women’s race with a 22:26 performance. West Stanly’s Natalie Almond easily placed second in 24:41.

Hope Hembree of East Lincoln was the next runner to cross the finish line with a 24:41 race.

Emily Butts (24:50) and Mikhaila Hadnagy (25:14) of Greater Cabarrus placed fourth and sixth respectively. Fifth place honors went to Kathrine Grace Stephan with a 24:56 run.

East Lincoln’s Deana Poteat (25:42) placed seventh followed by West Stanly’s Rachel Efird (25:48).

Asheboro’s Rose Kidd (25:56-9th) and West Stanly’s Savannah Hendzel (25:56-10th) rounded out the top 10.

East Lincoln won the varsity girls race with a team-low 28 points. The Mustangs were followed by West Stanly (38), Gray Stone (106), North Stanly (129), Mount Pleasant (130), Asheboro High (141), South Stanly (154) and Montgomery Central (224).

JV Race

The junior varsity boys and girls raced last with the top three boys and girls earning medals and T-shirts.

West Stanly’s Morgan Whitley (32:00) and Kinslie McNeil (32:04) took the top two spots with Gracie Love (33:29) of Gray Stone placing third.

In the boys race, James Benton of Greater Cabarrus Athletic Association won the race in 21:50. East Lincoln’s Kyle Cook (21:28) and Tyler Guilford places second and third respectively.