WCS Cross Country Runners Shine on National Stage

Published December 6, 2016

Not only are Williamson County runners some of the best in Tennessee; they’re among the best in the nation.

Several athletes from Brentwood and Ravenwood high schools proved it December 3 at the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Oregon.

Led by third place finisher and back-to-back individual state champion Brodey Hasty, the Brentwood club took home third place out of 22 teams. BHS runners Taylor Vroon, Scott Thompson, Jackson Vroon, Quinn Heithcock, Rayaan Bashir and Andrew Cate all finished the course in less than 20 minutes.

While the Brentwood squad worked together for their podium finish, Ravenwood junior Annika Sleenhof faced the course alone in the girls’ individual meet and came away with a top 20 national finish.

After coming in second at both the state and regional meets, Sleenhof finished as the top runner from the southeast region at the national meet on her way to a 19th place finish.

“I’m so thankful for my team and coach this cross country season because their encouragement has motivated me to train hard and push myself in every race,” said Sleenhof. “I was very surprised and beyond excited when I qualified for the national meet.”

Sleenhof was the first female from the district to qualify for the Nike Cross Nationals.