Dawson Springs knew its boys’ cross country team was the overwhelming favorite to repeat as region champions on Saturday. But, when the standings were announced over the public address system for the girls’ race, the Lady Panthers broke out into celebration as they claimed their first region championship in eight years and gave the small school a region championship sweep.
The Lady Panthers got a strong grouping from its first five runners to finish with 28 points, seven better than second-place Murray.
Eighth-grader Olivia Hines used a strong second mile to finish in second place. Her time of 21:06 was 23 seconds behind the winner Jade Green of Murray. It was also a personal best for Hines, who was running in just her fourth varsity race with her last three featuring top-ten finishes.
Close on the heels of Hines were the Swatzell twins. Baylee was fourth in 22:16 and Ashtyn was sixth in 23:49. Seventh grader Alieah Cook was seventh with a time of 24:48.
Dawson Springs put three runners in the top seven. Alyssa Allison was 13th in 25:34 and senior Hailey Oldham was 14th in 25:39. Madeline Oldham produced a 25th-place finish with a time of 34:13.
Lady Panthers will join the guys in Lexington on Saturday to compete at the Class 1A State Cross Country Meet at the Kentucky Horse Park.
