HIGH SCHOOL

Central Magnet's Samantha Ouellette is 2018 DNJ all-area girls cross country runner of year

Cecil Joyce
Murfreesboro Daily News Journal
Central Magnet's Samantha Ouellette

Central Magnet's Samantha Ouellette made a name for herself on the cross country circuit as an eighth-grader last season.

She took it a step further in 2018.

Ouellette finished as one of only two area runners to medal at the TSSAA Large Division state meet (along with Oakland's Breja Hooks), finishing eighth overall (19:07.65) to help the Lady Tigers finish 12th overall.

Ouellette's efforts have earned her the nod as The Daily News Journal's all-area girls cross country runner of the year.

DNJ all-area girls cross country team

First team

Oakland's Breja Hooks (left) and Central Magnet's Samantha Ouellette (right) were neck-and-neck at both the region and state meets this season.

Breja Hooks

Oakland, Sr.

Why chosen: Won the Region 4 Large School meet (18:47.49) and finished 10th at the  state meet (19:13.94).

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Marilyn McCarthy of Siegel runs in the Region 4 Large cross country championships, at Cedars of Lebanon State Park, on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018.

Marilyn McCarthy

Siegel, So.

Why chosen: Finished 21st at the state meet (19:44.21), helping Siegel to a 10th-place finish as a team. Was fourth at the region meet (19:39.12).

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Kayleigh Mcintyre of Oakland runs in the Region 4 Large cross country championships, at Cedars of Lebanon State Park, on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018.

Kayleigh McIntyre

Oakland, Jr.

Why chosen: Finished 50th at the state meet (20:38.48) after capturing sixth (20:21.49) at the region meet.

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Samantha Ouellette

Central Magnet, Fr.

Why chosen: Had an area-best eighth-place showing at the state meet (19:07.65) after finishing second at the region meet (18:48.30).

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Ella Phillips of Siegel runs in the Region 4 Large cross country championships, at Cedars of Lebanon State Park, on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018.

Ella Phillips

Siegel, Fr.

Why chosen: Captured a 17-place finish at the state meet (19:28.64) after taking third (18:58.55) at the region meet, helping the Lady Stars win the region team title.

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Second team

Kyra Hayes, Siegel, Fr.

Morgan Ouellette, Central Magnet, Sr.

Sarah Sneed, Riverdale, Sr.

Kerrigan Walls, Central Magnet, Jr.

Sarah Wilkerson, Siegel, Fr.

Coach of the year

Phil Young

Siegel

Why chosen: Led his Lady Stars to a first-place finish at the region meet and an area-best 10th-place finish at the TSSAA Large School state meet.