By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
More first-place hardware came back home with the Union City High School boys’ cross country team on Tuesday.
The Tornadoes brought home the top prize from the Best of the West meet at Obion County Central, a feat they’ve accomplished five times in their last six outings.
UC totaled 57 points to best 14 other teams and boasted four medal winners in the process.
Woodrow McKinnis placed fourth individually out of 106 participants with a time of 18:00 on the 3.1 mile Troy course. McKinnis’ teammate, Rushdon Howell, was right behind him in fifth at 18:13. Madix Turner (19:03) came in ninth, with his brother, Miloh, finishing 12th at 19:42.
Owen Waggoner (20:54) rounded out UC’s Top 5 times and was 27th.
Bryce Daniels was 31st, Matvii Kostanian placed 39th, Camden Watts finished 47th, and Wrigley Harder came in 62nd for the Tornadoes.
Ainsley Beard recorded a strong 10th place as the lone Union City girl to participate, completing the course in 25:51.
Union City will run again at Hardin County next Tuesday.
HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
UC 3, Halls 0
The Lady Tornadoes advanced to the District 13A Tournament championship game and clinched a spot in next week’s regional tourney with their third victory of the season over Halls at Gibson County High School.
Union City won 25-16, 25-14, and 25-5 to improve to 22-4 on the year.
The triumph sets up a much-anticipated showdown between the second-seeded Twister girls and No. 1 GCHS on Thursday night at 6 p.m. The victor will earn host rights for next week’s Region 7A Tournament, to be played on Monday and Tuesday.
The two teams split a pair of regular season meetings – each winning on the other’s homecourt.
Addison Carr contributed to UC’s victory over Halls Tuesday night in a variety of ways. She recorded nine kills, had six service aces, and came up with five saves and three digs.
Madie Theobald was again solid with 28 assists, while Gracie Sims threw down 14 kills. Ca’Lae Ervin and Crickett Washburn have five kills apiece for the victors.
“The girls came ready to play and played well,” Union City head coach Jessica Graham said. “Halls has an amazing back line, but I thought we neutralized them and just kept on making things happen.
“I was very proud of Addison – she did a lot of things well for us.
“And I believe we’ll be ready for Thursday night.”