Fort Mill's Mark Blackmon and Mann's Kate Borowicz finished with the state's fastest times from the Wendy's Invitational in Charlotte. Both set leading database times for the 2008 season.
Blackmon (watch interview with Blackmon), a freshman, finished second in the boys invitational 5,000-meter run in 15 minutes, 47 seconds to Chapel Hill's (N.C.) Taylor Gilland. Dorman's Brandon Easler finished third (15:52) and Wando's Timothy Tyler placed fourth (15:58).
Borowicz finished second in the girls invitational event in 18 minutes, four seconds. Daniel's Sinead Haughey finished third in 18 minutes, 25 seconds. Fort Mill's Quanika Blackmon placed ninth in 18 minutes, 56 seconds. Mauldin girls finished ninth in team standings.
Ridge View's Sierra Henderson (watch interview with Henderson) rounded out the top three in the girls open event (18:43).
Boys open
Hilton Head rounded out the top three in team standings with 142 points. Ridge View's David Jennings, a sophomore placed sixth in 16 minutes, three seconds. Leading Hilton Head was Jack Felix, a sophomore, in 16 minutes, nine seconds. Northwestern's Tip Reburn rounded out the top 10.
Ridge View finished fifth and Northwestern sixth in team standings. Rock Hill rounded out top 10 with South Pointe 13 points behind in 11th place.
Boys junior, senior
Nation Ford's Kevin Coleman, a senior, finished second in the boys junior, senior race in 16 minutes, 50 seconds.
Boys freshman, sophomore
Dorman sophomore Heath Branum finished fourth in 17 minutes 25 seconds in the freshman, sophomore race. Nation Ford's Kevin Ketner (sophomore) was eighth (17:45). Rock Hill's Dakota McDonald (freshman) placed 10th in 17 minutes, 47 seconds.
Girls junior, senior
Wando junior Lauren DiNicola rounded out the top three in the girls junior, senior race in 21 minutes, 26 seconds. Fort Mill senior Lisa Nichols finished sixth (21:45).
Girls freshman, sophomore
Nation Ford freshman was lone runner in the girls freshman, sophomore race under 20 minutes in 19 minutes, 31 seconds to take the win. Teammate Aubrey Gunnells, a sophomore, finished fifth in 20 minutes, 49 seconds. Wando's Savannah Mozingo finished ninth (21:19).
More coverage coming from the meet, including more photos and race videos.
