A strong 2017 cross country season for Randolph-Henry High School ended with the high point of the year for the program.

“The high point of the season was having two runners qualify for the state championship,” Randolph-Henry Head Cross Country Coach Ian Woodley said. “Only 26 runners qualify to the state championship from each region. Having two from Randolph-Henry was a major accomplishment.”

Those two runners qualifying for the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 2 state championships included senior Nasheim Pettus and sophomore Travis Adams.

Out of a total of 104 runners competing in the 3.1-mile race at states, Pettus finished 45th with a time of 18 minutes. Adams finished 91st with a time of 19 minutes, 38 seconds.

Prior to the state meet, Randolph-Henry participated in the Class 2 Region A championships. The boys team finished fifth, and the girls team finished seventh.

Pettus was the top male runner for the Statesmen, finishing with a time of 17:46, good for sixth place, individually.

Among the Lady Statesmen, senior Sarah Grissom was the fastest runner, placing 38th with a 26:37 time.

Looking back on the season, Woodley said, “As a whole, I am very happy with the boys and girls teams. Throughout the season, we stressed improvement. We wanted the athletes to improve individually and, as a result, improve as a team. We were able to accomplish that.”

The coach noted that Pettus and Grissom will be missed next year, but he said he believes that if both teams continue their 2017 rate of improvement, they will contend for the district title.