Washington School’s Owen Hardin and Lawton Poole, the Planters Bank Players of the Week, have the natural talent to be great cross country runners, but it is their hard work that helps them reach the finish line in front.
Hardin and Poole both ran outstanding races last week at the Kirk Academy Invitational in Grenada. Hardin came in first place in the two-mile run with a time of 13:07, and Poole came in first place in the girls two-mile run with a time of 13.45.
The success was no surprise to their coach, Jamie Murrell.
“Lawton puts in extra mileage each week to be a better runner, and she is focused on being better at each race,” Coach Murrell said. “Owen shows up ready for each practice, and he pushes himself on each run. Both know what time they want for the state meet, and they have put their work in this season to achieve their goals.”
Hardin and Poole are also helped by the talented teammates surrounding. At the Kirk Invitational, for example, Washington’s Prentiss Doolittle finished second in the boys run with a time of 13:42, and JD Bennett finished in fourth place with a time of 13:45. In the girls run, Washington’s Ely Hitt finished third with a time of 14:40.
The two young Washington athletes aren’t finished yet, either.
Both hope to have high finishes at the state track meet next Monday at the Choctaw Trails in Clinton.
After that, the two plan to get right back to training for track season in the spring.
“They both really enjoy running, and I think they have the dedication to continue to be great runners at Washington School,” Coach Murrell said.
