The Runnin’ Statesmen made the long trek to Sugar Hollow Park in Bristol on Nov. 5 to compete in the VHSL 2A West Region Cross-Country Championships.

The top teams and individual runners from four conferences gathered to determine who would qualify for the VHSL Championships to be held on Nov. 14.

The girls race saw senior Adrianne Nelson put up her best time of the year and finish 19th overall.

That finish qualified her — for the second consecutive year — for the VHSL Championships.

“The rest of the Lady Statesmen ran solid races and it was a wonderful learning experience for the young team,” said coach Jeff Williams.

The boys team was greatly outmatched by some of the top-tier teams in the state, but saw everybody run their fastest times of the year.

When all was said and done, everyone was satisfied with their efforts and happy to have been able to compete at a very high level.

Coach Williams and coach Dean Schwartz congratulated both teams on having wonderful seasons.

“R-H cross-country continues to be successful because of the hard work and dedication that all the runners put forth. They are wonderful citizens, students and teammates. They reflect the best of what Charlotte County and R-H have to offer,” said Williams.

“And, congratulations to Adrianne Nelson. She will be representing the Runnin’ Statesmen, in her final prep race, at the very last race of the year. It will be an exciting moment for her and she will remember it for the rest of her life.”