Kroeger finishes rare state feat

Senior becomes first four-time champ in almost half century
By Jeff Lockridge • THE TENNESSEAN • November 2, 2008

 

ThereThere is a four-time individual state champion for the first time in Tennessee's nearly half century of high school cross country. Shouldn't be too tough to guess who it is.
Independence senior Kathy Kroeger ran the 5K at Percy Warner Park's Steeplechase course on Saturday in 17:08, some 91 seconds ahead of Class AAA runner-up Allie Scalf of Science Hill. "I definitely got what I wanted," said Kroeger, who lists Duke, Rice and Stanford as her top college options. "It was my last time to race in this cross country uniform and my last time with this team, so I wanted to push myself." Despite her lead, Kroeger still pressed as she crossed the finish line to get the second best of her four winning times. She ran 16:59 as a sophomore.

Science Hill upset Oak Ridge for the team title. Before the awards presentation there was a moment of silence for White County runner Markie Voyles, who died in a car wreck on Oct. 24.

Class A/AA: David Lipscomb junior Miranda Klein made her move with 50 meters to go, and USJ's Audrey Hazlehurst never saw it coming. Klein's sprint erased a five-meter deficit and gave her the title in the day's closest finish. She crossed in 19:36 — .47 seconds ahead of Hazlehurst.

Lipscomb eighth-grader Barbara Lee Ball placed third, as did the Lady Mustangs in the team standings.

Division II: St. Andrew's-Sewanee sophomore Keeley Stewart overcame a season of knee injuries and tendinitis to claim the Class A individual title for the second year in a row in 21:00.

USN and Harding Academy tied with 29 points, but USN was awarded the team title because of a tiebreaker rule that counts the sixth runner for each team. Brentwood Academy was runner-up to team champion Baylor in Class AA.