Indian Land brings home boys, girls region XC titles

By Karl Lyles - klyles@heraldonline.com

Indian Land's cross country teams captured both the boys and girls Region 3-A championships Oct. 20 at North Central High School. The region title is the first for the girls' team and the second for the boys.

The girls were led by freshman Courtney Whitten, who won the race with a time of 23:59 and was named the region's runner of the year. Whitten qualified for the state tournament last year as an eighth-grader.

Angela Carter (third), Marie Tumnaiec (fifth) and Samantha Pendleton (sixth) made the All-Region team. Sydney Gowitzka, Alayna Gorospe, Ashley McArther and Mary Fargalloa rounded out the team.

John Cutrone placed second for Indian Land on the boys' side, crossing the finish line in 19:02. He was joined by Lerth Rawgon (third), Gregory James (fourth) and Justin Pickard (sixth) on the All-Region Team. Other team members are: Jeremy Pendleton, Joel Biester, Carson Ryan, Will Pendleton, Jonathan Nichols, Chris Whitten, Derin Passinger, Greg Mays, Kyle Dyer and Jonathan Purcaro.

Indian Land is led by second-year coach Sara Allen and volunteer Ray Allmendinger.

“The kids are really excited. Most of the runners are in their first year, and this is their first varsity experience,” Allen said.

The girls' team will run in the Lower State qualifier on Saturday in Columbia on the Sandhills course. The state meet is Nov. 7 on the same course. To get there, Indian Land will need to finish among the top 12 of the 27 schools participating this Saturday.

In addition, the top 45 individuals will qualify for state, regardless of their team's finish.

Class A boys teams go straight to the state meet from their region meets.

MORE FROM INDIAN LAND — The Warriors' volleyball team was ousted from the Class A playoffs Tuesday night. Indian Land entered the postseason as the No. 3 seed out of Region 3-A and lost at Williston-Elko.

VOLLEYBALL SUPERLATIVES — The All-State and All-Star teams have been selected for the 2009 season. Four Herald-area players — two each from Nation Ford and Rock Hill — made All-State. All four are juniors, so there is a lot to look forward to next season as well.

Sara Bebeau and Ally Lambert from Nation Ford were joined by Rock Hill's Karis Watson and Christina Vereb on the All-State team.

Rock Hill's Morgan Brazzell was chosen to play in the North/South All-Star Game on Nov. 21. Bearcats volleyball coach Cindy Elder will coach the North team

ALL-REGION 3-AAAA VOLLEYBALL TEAM

Megan Crimi, Fort Mill, RS, Jr.; Lindsey Piedt, Fort Mill, S, Sr.; Tanaya Pettus, Clover, OH, Sr.; Caitlan Flanagan, Clover, S, Sr.; Bebeau, Nation Ford, OH, Jr.; Ally Lambert, Nation Ford, MH, Jr.; Sheila Walsh, Nation Ford, S, Jr.; Caylee Antilley, Nation Ford, RS, Fr.; Emily Marks, Northwestern, S, Sr.; Alex Angel, Northwestern, OH/MH, Sr.; Kierra Phillips, Gaffney, MH, Sr.; Shealy Bigach, York, OH/MH, Sr.; Courtney Doster, York, RS, Sr.

Region 3-AAAA Player of the Year: Bebeau, Nation Ford. Coach of the Year: Carrie Christian, Nation Ford.

ALL-REGION 4-AAAA VOLLEYBALL TEAM

Christina Vereb, Rock Hill, OH, Jr.; Courtney Williams, Blythewood, MH, Jr.; Karis Watson, Rock Hill, MH, Jr.; Morgan Brazzell, Rock Hill, L, Sr.; Katie McCoy, South Pointe, MH, Jr.; Diara Lewis, Ridge View, MH, So.; Hannah Cox, Ridge View, OH, Sr.; Caleen Hawkins, Blythewood, S, Sr.