Pendleton State Champs Receive Special Welcome Home

Pendleton boys 1A/2A State Champions and girls Runner-Ups received a special homecoming Saturday evening.

The bus the Bulldogs arrived in was escorted by a police vehicle with lights and sirens to town square where a gathering of over 100 people from the surrounding community were cheering and yelling in support of both cross country teams.

Those in attendance included Pendleton\'s Mayor Carol Burdette, Pendleton High Athletic Director Paul Sutherland and other supporters ranging from parents to classmates, other Pendleton coaches and junior varsity cross country runners at Pendleton.

Following a celebration that included hugs and pictures the boy\'s team jogged a victory lap around town square. The celebration concluded with the town siren sounding a few times while supporters slowly dispersed into the night.

For the Pendleton boys freshman Christopher DeHondt was eighth overall in 17:32. Sophomore Charles Culberson was the 13th overall finisher. Bishop England was second in the boy\'s 1A/2A team standings. Pendleton scored 94 points to Bishop England\'s 126. The Pendleton boys easily were first at the Upper State Championships, held at Eastside High School in Greenville Oct. 29, with a 53-point victory margin over Broome, 48-101.

For the Pendleton girls senior Maria Bertrand was the top finisher with a top five placing. Brittany Owens, also a senior, finished seventh for the Bulldogs. Broome girls won the team title over Pendleton 67-79. The Pendleton girls finished second to Broome at the Upper State Qualifier by two points, 60-62.

In 2004 the girls finished fourth and the boys finished fifth at the state meet.

The Bulldogs are coached by Pam Wheeler and Warren Wheeler.

The top-15 finishers in each state meet race are members of the All-State teams.

Kyle Nowlin, scrunners.com staff photographer contributed to this report.