Top-ranked Iron Horse cross-country teams embrace state title challenge

The highly successful Philip Simmons High School girls’ and boys’ cross-country teams are both ranked No. 1 in the state.

 

Coach Josh Michael says the top spot has put a bullseye on the teams.

 

“Yes, it does,” Michael said. “It probably has been there all year.”

 

But the Iron Horses are ready for the challenge.

 

“With open arms,” Michaelsaid. “They are right where they want to be.”

 

The Iron Horse girls are seeking their third straight state championship this fall, while the boys are attempting to gain the big trophy for the first time when the Class AA state championships are contested in November.

 

Michael’s teams always seem to be talented, deep, and fast. They are young but experienced as well.

 

The Iron Horses competed in the Bob Jenkins Coaches Classic, which was held at the Farm Cross Country Course in Newberry, South Carolina, which will be the venue for the state meet.

 

The Iron Horse boys showed they are a contender by finishing third in the International Division. Greer Middle Collegiate Charter held down the top spot with 123 points, while Dorman High School was runner-up with 158. The Iron Horses finished third with 212 points on a crisp fall-like day that turned sunny and warm.

 

The girls team is loaded with talent with four all-state performers back from last year: Avah Mallek, Laura Perry, Keziah Varner, and Anna Alomar, all shone at the state meet last fall.

 

The Iron Horse girls were hoping to equal or better their sixth-place finish in last year’s Coaches Classic. But it turned out to be one of those days, as they finished in 11th place with 334 points.

 

Fort Mill High School captured the International Division title with 141 points, James Island was second with 178, and Mauldin was third with 182 points.

 

“On paper, we finished 11th,” Michael said. “But we could have had very different results.”

 

Earlier in the 2024 season, Michael said the Coaches Classic was a meet he uses as a measuring stick to chart the teams’ progress.

 

“I think we’re in very good shape,” Michael said. “The competition is outstanding, and you are running against 30 teams and over 300 runners. All of our athletes passed the test.”

 

Pierce Walker led the Iron Horse boys with an 11th-place finish with a time of 15 minutes, and 57.58 seconds over the 5-kilometer course. Joseph Wright was right behind, finishing in 17th place. Brian Stambaugh finished in 42nd place, Grady Castiglia was 56th, and Wesley Patterson held down 86th place.

 

“On the boys’ side, I was really impressed with Pierce and Joey,” Michael said. “Both had awesome days. When you are racing against 300 runners and 30 teams, there is little room for error. They came through.”

 

Mallek, a junior, led the Iron Horse girls, finishing in 23rd place with a time of 19:26.63, while Varner was 36th and Lilah May was 73rd. Flynn Taylor was right behind in 77th place, while Bicho Alomar finished at No. 125. She is the sister of Anna Alomar.