GRAVETTE -- One team which hasn't received coverage equaling its accomplishments this season is the girls' cross country team at Gravette High School. The team in this newly-sanctioned sport at the high school had numerous wins this season, and the girls have a right to be proud.
Among accomplishments this season, the girls' team took first in both the Siloam Springs Panther and the Elkins Invitational meets. The girls also finished second at the Shiloh Christian meet and ran in the 2015 Chili Pepper race.
These Lady Lions finished second in district last week and run in the state meet at Hot Springs on Saturday.
In addition to the team accomplishments, individual runners also racked up accomplishments of their own. Jordan Jeter (senior), Brooke Brasel (sophomore) and Haley Betz (sophomore) received all-conference honors this season.
The girls' team is made up of Jeter, Brasel, Betz, Emma Russ (junior), Destiny Laymond (senior), Jillian Brown (sophomore), Amanda Homer (senior), Kendall Yarbrough (sophomore) and Kaylee Midyett (freshman). Running for the boys are Austin Moon (junior) and Tyler Humphreys (sophomore).
Both teams are coached by Jana Hardgrave, and this is the first season for the new sport at Gravette High School. The school board approved adding the new sport to the school's offerings in July.
"This group of girls and boys have worked really hard at building a foundation for us to continue to grow the sport at Gravette," said Hardgrave in an email.
Also to be commended is the willingness of the girls to let people know of the new Gravette sport and of their season. They contacted the Eagle Observer, invited the editor to meet with them and provided photos and information for publication. They are to be commended for going the extra mile, so to speak, and taking the initiative.
Also of note in this year's cross country season are the performances of Gentry runners Mallory Morris and Brynn Elliott. The two Gentry girls are currently ranked in the numbers one and two spots in girls' 4A cross country, according to Hardgrave.
Sports on 11/04/2015