Staff report

KERNERSVILLE — Carson junior Eric Gillis ran the race of his life and edged senior teammate Jorge Clemente-Garcia in Saturday’s 3A State Championships for cross country held at the Ivey Redmon Sports Complex.

Gillis’ PR of 15:48.85 was just enough to nip Clemente-Garcia (15:49.34) for fourth place by a half-second.

There were 172 runners in the state event. They either qualified as individuals, as Gillis and Clemente-Garcia did, or as part of teams that qualified.

The Carson du0 has run 1-2 in many races this season, although usually Gillis has been chasing Clemente-Garcia, who was a county, conference and regional champion.

The bottom line is that Carson coach Zachary Marchinko had 40 percent of the the top five in 3A, and the Cougars have two All-State runners.

Western Harnett junior Ethan Rich was the individual winner in 15:26. He won his first title by about 10 seconds.

Hillsborough’s Orange High claimed its first team state title with a score of 63. North Lincoln scored 96 for second. Mountain schools North Buncombe and West Henderson took third and fourth places.

South Rowan sophomore Ethan Overby had a solid run and was 44th in 17:21.

West Rowan was also a story. Fifth in the 3A Midwest Regional held in Salisbury, the Falcons were only 21st in the state team scoring, but a lot of young runners got valuable experience on the big stage. None of the seven who ran for West coach Scott Foster on Saturday are seniors.

Freshman Luke Henson led the Falcons. He clocked 18:11 and was 89th.

Other times were posted by sophomore Jonathan Medina (18:45), sophomore Jayden Romero (19:10). junior Wayne Hall (19:18), sophomore Jaden  Still (19:33), sophomore Rafael Quintero (19:40) and junior Isaac McLaughlin (21:12).

“We overachieved to get to state,” Foster said. “I just wanted the guys to get some experience. We will be better the next couple of years. We have some good eighth-graders coming up next year. I’ve been hoping for another wave of talent before I retire. I think I might have it.”

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KERNERSVILLE – In Saturday’s 2A State Championships, Salisbury sophomore Samuel Fatovic ran 17:18 and finished 24th.

Fatovic qualified as an individual with a fourth-place finish in the regional at Fisher River Park in Dobson.

The fastest sophomore was Owen’s Brody Webb. He was eighth in 16:42.

Seaforth senior Jack Anstrom ran a time of 15:52 and won his third straight individual state championship. He won by 15 seconds.

Brevard posted a team score of 37 and easily won its second straight team title.