Georgia Champ Averi Lowen Repeats Girls Individual Title; Andrew Beroset Digs Deep In Final 400 To Win Boys Race

By Ricky Quintana for DyeStat

Tavan Smith Photos

VIDEOS/RESULTS

CARY, N.C. -- Averi Lowen collected her second title in a row, Andrew Beroset won his first title and Sparta (Webb School of Knoxville TN) and Royal Pines Distance Project (The Christ School NC) came away with team victories Saturday at the NXR Southeast Regional at WakeMed Park. 

Beroset of McCallie Ridge Runners (Tennessee), the sixth fastest sophomore miler and two-miler in high school history, claimed his first state cross country title two weeks ago. That win was a big boost to his confidence and on Saturday, he stayed composed when he was behind the leaders at the 2k mark.

“I was feeling a little winded and getting a little concerned,” said Beroset, who trailed the leaders up the first hill. “We’ve been practicing all year to stay composed during races and slowly pick people off. I worked the downhills really really hard and planned to smash that last uphill.”

The final charge up the final hill took its toll on Beroset and he was passed by Xavier Richardson (Redwoods TC of Kentucky). That’s when Beroset got his second wind.

“I didn’t know who he was,” Beroset said of Richardson’s pass in the final 600 meters. “I really haven’t kicked that hard this year. I saw an opportunity to win and I had to take it. I went full flight for it.”

Richardson was coming off an 8:58.80 3,200-meter win last week at the Lloyd White Memorial and a second place finish behind Paul Van Laningham at the Kentucky state meet. Van Laningham gave him encouragement during the race.

“Paul was talking to me in the middle of the race saying ‘let’s go do this and represent Kentucky’,” said Richardson who finished 30th last year. “I knew it was going to come down to the very end. At the base of the hill, I was just trying to separate myself. We broke away and I took the lead for 200 meters maybe, then he got me at the top of the hill.  Overall, I am really happy with it. No complaints.”

Beroset’s time of 14:45.3 was a personal best and 20th fastest course performer on an unseasonably hot day, 72F and 71 percent humidity.

Senior Richardson (14:50.3), senior Van Laningham (14:52.7), senior Joshua Taylor (14:52.7), and senior Jason Tuck (15:00.4) claimed the top five spots. Myles Jermyn finished sixth in 15:01.2 and would advance as an individual if McCallie earns an at-large berth.

In the team race, Royal Pines Distance Project (The Christ School NC) lived up to its DyeStat SE#1 ranking with a convincing victory over DyeStat SE#5 CAPITALS (Broughton NC).

Juniors Brooks Barbee finished 11th (15:16.6), Dallas Reeves 18th (15:20.3), Jack Dennehy 24th (15:27.2), Reynolds Young 32nd (15:32.0) and Brody Webb 65th (15:49.4) to average 15:29 to earn their first team victory with 72 points and trip to NXN in school history.

“We’ve had a lot of positive energy from day one,” coach Randy Ashley said. “Three of the guys were here last year and we had an influx of transfers frankly. It was a matter of the boys talking to each other. Some of the kids were in situations that they might not have had great coaching or support systems, so they came to us. I’m excited for the boys. They've put a lot of work into the entire season. They earned this ticket and this is just the desert.” 

Broughton’s second place may have come as a surprise to some, but not to the team and head coach David Christian.

“Cam Kuss was injured most of our season and ended up being our number one guy [22nd, 15:22.5], “ Christian said. “We knew we had a shot coming in. Our slogan all year has been to stay composed in the chaos. These regional races, you never know what is going to happen. I’m proud of them. They stayed composed and got across the line and got  it done.”

Lowen’s second win in a row was as convincing as all her past wins this season, but the heat and an upset stomach led to a slower time than she was hoping for.

“Today was on the hotter side,” said Lowen who finished in 16:37.3, the sixth fastest time in course history. “I wasn’t feeling like myself today. I’m upset with my time more than anything. It means a lot to me to win for the second time and hold that title. I came here to qualify and the times will come later on.”

Sparta (Webb School of Knoxville TN) senior Calysta Garmer (16:58.5), sophomore Madeline Dorsch (16:58.5), junior Amelia Avila (16:59.7), senior Georgy Helmers (17:01.7) and junior Allie Horner (17:14.2) placed in the top six. Garmer will advance with her team.

Sparta, ranked DyeStat SE #1 early in the season, overcame some obstacles this season. A second place finish at Great American XC Festival and strong performances from James Robinson (Fairfax, VA) and Brentwood (TN) dropped them to No. 3 coming into the race. A bout with an injury late in the season left Jazzlyn below 100 percent, but that did not deter them as they kept their focus and came prepared to compete at their best in the mid afternoon contest.

“We were super satisfied with our result at Great American. We got back to training and just locked in,” said Calysta Garmer, the top finisher for Sparta. “Going into this race, we were hunting for victory. We knew if we had trust in each other, it was all going to come together.”

Despite the injury setbacks, senior Jazzlyn finished 10th (17:20.9). senior Carolina Areheart 20th(17:57.7), junior Emma Cissna 62nd (18:43.7) and ninth grader Bennie Diddle 102nd (19:09.7) to score 105 points.

DyeStat SE#2  Brentwood(TN) got lost early on in the pack and was fifth at the 2k mark. By the 3.2k split they were second and maintained that to the finish to score 130, 25 points behind Sparta’s 105.

“Honestly, that was a miracle,” said second runner Lia Banovac, who finished 51st in 18:35.7. “I knew that we were in fifth place at the 2k. I’m just so proud that we pulled though. We’ve been carrying this mentally and physically for a long time. It speaks volume that we were able to pull this off. We had three girls that barely finished. It’s amazing. I love this team so much.”