The Collinwood High School Cross Country team competed this fall with events at Henry Horton State Park, Andrew Jackson’s the Hermitage, Bowie Park, Horse Creek Wildlife Sanctuary and Animal Refuge, Community High School, and David Crockett State Park. The season began with a race at the historic home of President Andrew Jackson in Old Hickory. Leading the way for the Trojans was Connor Brewer with a time of 21:37 for the 5,000 meters. Kental Rohling came across the line in 26:12 and Kainan Grimes finished in 31:41. Kristen Retherford was the lone Trojanette on the course, finishing in 24:53. In all, 315 girls toed the line for the varsity race and 405 boys made the start, making the race by far the largest of the season for the team.
Following a rain-out, the team next travelled to Henry Horton State Park to compete. For the girls it was Kristen Retherford in the front, narrowly missing out on a top 10 finish while Gaby Ubieta also ran strong for the team. The boys’ team tried to outrun the inclement weather as ninth grader Logan Thompson, Cort Robertson, Connor Brewer, Kainan Grimes, and Kental Rohling battled competitors and conditions to finish the race.
The next week it was off to Hardin County where Kristen Retherford captured her second straight top ten finish in the event on the course affectionately known as “The Hill.” Kristen was the lone entrant for the Trojanettes while an extremely fast boys’ field saw Connor Brewer, Cort Robertson, and Kainan Grimes duke it out with some of the best in the state.
One week later, in what felt like a hometown race, the Trojans and Trojanettes lined up in Lawrenceburg at David Crockett State Park to test their speed. Connor Brewer was again the first Trojan to cross the finish line, followed by Cort Robertson, Kental Rohling, Logan Thompson, Nick Miller, and Kainan Grimes all running strong races. Kristen Retherford continued her streak of top ten finishes by edging out some fast girls.
Due to a stroke of good luck and a fortunate turn of events, the team next toed the line at Bowie Park in Fairview on an extremely difficult course. Connor Brewer ran great 2.5 miles before finishing 36th overall, while Kental Rohling finished it up for the spread-thin Trojans. Kristen Retherford ran alone for most of the race, finishing in 3rd overall in 24:23 for the 5k.
To finish out the regular season, runners next took on the Community High School course. For the first time in history, a Trojan runner took first overall as Connor Brewer bested the field for the win. Cort Robertson and Kental Rohling also finished in the top 5, while Kainan Grimes finished 14th overall for the Trojans. Kristen Retherford ran well again for another top 3 finish to wrap up the season.
The last race of the year had the team in competition at Percy Warner Park on the infamous Steeplechase Course for the Division 1 Small Schools Regional. The always-tough competition made results misleading. Kainan Grimes, Kental Rohling, Logan Thompson, Cort Robertson, and Connor Brewer all ran personal bests in the race but failed to secure a State Championship qualification. Brylee Harris and Gaby Ubieta joined Retherford to try and earn a state bid but it was not to be. Kristen too fell short by just 20 seconds and with that, the season was effectively over.
The faculty and staff at Collinwood High School congratulate all of the student athletes who participated in cross country and gave their time and talent to make the season happen. The parents of the athletes are also to be commended for allowing their children to participate, as well as Beavers Tie and Lumber for sponsoring the cross country program this season. #keeponrunning —Submitted
