Wetumpka Cross Country Excels at Jesse Owens Classic

OAKVILLE, Ala. - Wetumpka Indians cross country came away with 14 new personal bests out of 15 runners at the Jesse Owens Classic at Oakville Indian Mounds Park on Saturday.

Competing in the state of Alabama's marquee event in the cross country world, the Indians competed against thousands of runners spanning from across the country. The course is the same one that the team hopes to take on in the AHSAA State Championship at the end of the season.

A 15-second PR for Bennett Williams puts him at 17:55.46, the fastest among the team. He is the first runner for Wetumpka run sub-18 minutes since Eli Holden in 2023. Nathan Hill and Walter Lynch both ran sub-19 times for the men as well.

It was nothing but personal bests for the women. All five runners came away with new fastest times, including Jessilyn Oliver, who ran a team leading 22:29.51

The Indians head to Lineville, Ala. next Saturday where they'll take on the Volunteer Fall Classic. 

Men's Gold 5K (26th - 699 pts)

Bennett Williams - 133rd - 17:55.46^

Nathan Hill - 159th - 18:26.24^

Walter Lynch - 167th - 18:36.05^

Silas Fallin - 200th - 20:12.18^

Parker Williams - 201st - 20:12.18^

Kaden Peterson-Dillard - 207th - 20:21.71^

Jack Ruppert - 214th - 21:26.91^

Graydon Culver - 215th - 21:33.91^

Landon Focia-Matmanivong - 217th - 21:52.08

Joshua Larsen - 218th - 21:55.16^

Women's Silver 5K (38th - 1041 pts)

Jessilyn Oliver - 143rd - 22:29.51^

Somer Moone - 260th - 24:43.87^

Eva Gallander - 289th - 25:20.22^

Finley Davisson - 295th - 25:27.96^

Kamyll Rogers - 351st - 31:47.30^

^ - personal record