Baylor’s Simon Holden just couldn’t let anybody else get a win on his home course.
With a big kick over the final quarter of a mile, the sophomore defeated Red Bank’s Robert Bridges to claim his second consecutive Chattanooga Cross Country League victory Thursday at Baylor. Holden covered the five-kilometer course in 16 minutes, 49.43 seconds.
GPS’s Johanna Gartman also garnered another girls’ victory, winning in 20:03.30.
Team titles went to Baylor’s boys, who had five finishers under 19 minutes for the second consecutive meet, and three top-15 finishers for a total of 82; and the Heritage girls, who with 99 points edged Cumberland County by 11.
Holden’s victory was his first over Bridges this season.
“It just always seems that however tired I am, I’m always able to get that kick at the end,” Holden said. “Coach [Jan Gautier] told me to hang behind him and save some of my energy for the end. It was going through my head that I couldn’t lose this meet. I just couldn’t let [Bridges] beat me.
“I had to protect my home course.”
East Hamilton’s Nick McCormick was third, Bradley Central’s Harold Smith was fourth and Walker Valley’s Seth Goudzward was fifth.
Gartman’s victory was her third of the year – all in league meets. She hasn’t finished worse than third in a CCCL race.
“I didn’t feel great early,” she said, “so I think I ran great for how I felt.”
Gartman has been pushing to reach the 19:25 she ran at the Berry Invitational on Sept. 4.
“I hadn’t been able to get there yet, and it’s been discouraging at times,” she said. “I’m trying my best, though, so I’m not too disappointed.”
Rhea’s Madalyn Garland was second, while Cumberland’s Kayla Daniels, St. Andrew’s-Sewanee’s Keeley Stewart and Dalton’s Bekah Houston rounded out the top five.