Neglia, Lady Indians Repeat as Conference Champions
by STEVE WILMOTH
TriCitiesSports.com
October 19, 2017
BRISTOL, Tenn. – The defending cross country state runner-up Dobyns-Bennett Lady Indians barely defended their conference championship Thursday afternoon at Steele Creek Park.
Challenged by injury, weather and vastly improved squads from David Crockett and Daniel Boone, the Lady Tribe eked out a five point victory over the Lady Pioneers 42-47 with the Lady ‘Blazers knocking on the door with 54 points.
There was no such call for defending race champion Sasha Neglia, who bettered her own meet and course record with a time of 18:09.51.
“I felt really good today,” said Neglia. “We didn’t run our very best as a team, but it was still good enough to win.”
Emma Russum was next in line for D-B, placing sixth at 20:10.23.
“We went out faster than I thought we were going to,” said Russum. “I’m just happy we could fight through and get the team win.”
Dobyns-Bennett’s Ellie Hall (20:26.95) was seventh with Meg Davis (20:56.25) tenth.
“We did have two runners drop out, but we stuck together as a team and finished strong,” added Russum. “As long as you keep your focus and are motivated and mentally tough, you can push through it. I think it’s important to have the physically ability, but it’s also important to be good mentally.”
Davis gave the Lady Indians four finishers in the top ten. Gracie Allen (21:42.05) completed the D-B scoring with her 18th-place finish.
“A 5k is way too far for Emma Davis, but she’s such a great competitor,” said D-B coach Bob Bingham. “If she doesn’t compete today, we don’t win.”
Overall, outside of Neglia the result leaves Bingham uneasy going to next week’s Region 1 Championships.
“Sasha is Sasha,” continued Bingham. “She’s going the right direction and to see her run right now, it’s just pure joy.
“Emma is running really well right now, but we’ve got some other folks with some health problems. We’ve got to up our game right now.”
Runner-up David Crockett earned three of the top five spots. Breanna Roy (18.58.47) was second, sister Taylor Roy (19:55.49) was fourth and Rachel Dulaney (19:58.08) placed fifth.
“I’m pretty ok with second,” said Roy. “I didn’t get the time I wanted, but it was pretty hot today.”
Roy won the conference title as a freshman in 19:17.11, but the Lady Pioneers finished just three points out of last place in the team standings.
Hobbled by injury the next two seasons, Roy limped to an eighth-place finish in 21:16.33 a year ago, but the Crockett team was on the rise with a fourth-place finish.
This year, Roy is healthy and running better than ever and with a competitive team in tow.
“I’m very proud of my team,” added Roy. “It feels pretty good to see how far the program has come. We had three freshmen come in, we stole a basketball player (Emmaline Hulse) and took her under our wing and she’s been doing great.
“Our three freshman were excited and ready to run. I told them they were in competition to go to state and they were like ok with that.”
No team had five runners cross before the Lady ‘Blazers who saw Maria Chellah (20:33.27) finish eighth, Gracie Murray (20:34.24) ninth, Judy Chellah (20:59.45) 11th, Erin Bruce (21:01.84) 12th and Marley McCoy (21:04.68) 14th. Patricia Chellah (21:13.25) was also all-conference with a 15th-place finish.
“Can’t be more excited for the girls,” said Boone coach Len Jeffers. “It’s exceptional and they are a great team to be a part of and be around. They showed their depth to have six in the top 15. It was a great showing”
Bingham said Boone’s work took some points away from others chasing the Lady Indians.
“We win the meet right now because the Daniel Boone girls finished a strong third and took away some spots,” explained Bingham. “That’s a team maximizing their talents and getting the most out of their kids. That’s what they did right there.”
Science Hill got all-conference performances from third-place finisher Gabrielle Mardis (19:47.07) and 13th-place Abby Rountree (21:04.44).
TEAM RESULTS – 1. Dobyns-Bennett 42, 2. David Crockett 47, 3. Daniel Boone 54, 4. Science Hill 78, 5. Tennessee High 138, 6. Volunteer 160.
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS – 1. Sasha Neglia, Dobyns-Bennett, 18:09.51; 2. Breanna Roy, David Crockett, 18:58.47; 3. Gabrielle Mardis, Science Hill, 19:47.07; 4. Taylor Roy, David Crockett, 19:55.49; 5. Rachel Dulaney, David Crockett, 19:58.08; 6. Emma Russum, Dobyns-Bennett, 20:10.23; 7. Ellie Hall, Dobyns-Bennett, 20:26.95; 8. Maria Chellah, Daniel Boone, 20:33.27; 9. Gracie Murray, Daniel Boone, 20:34.24; 10. Meg Davis, Dobyns-Bennett, 20:56.25; 11. Judy Chellah, Daniel Boone, 20:59.45; 12. Erin Bruce, Daniel Boone, 21:01.84; 13. Abbi Rountree, Science Hill, 21:04.44; 14. Marley McCoy, Daniel Boone, 21:13.25; 15. Patricia Chellah, Daniel Boone, 21:13.25.