Dadson leads Polk runners at 1A Regional cross country meet

A cold and rainy Saturday did have a few bright spots for Polk County’s cross country team.

Wolverine Evan Dadson posted his fastest time of the year at Saturday’s 1A West Regional meet in Swannanoa, finishing 14th overall with a time of 17:46.58.

The top seven finishers not part of a qualifying team advance to next week’s state championship meet, and Dadson missed being the seventh qualifier by less than two seconds.

“Evan Dadson had the best race he has run,” said Polk County head coach Alan Peoples. “He blew them away. He was smoking.”

With two runners taking the ACT and another battling an injury, the Wolverines were unable to compete in the team competition. Western Highlands Conference champion Caleb Potter did compete despite being ill and finished 32nd in 18:40.60.

Freshman Chris Rickman (20:43.23) and sophomore Kiyon Staley (21:53.43) were the Wolverines’ other runners.

“Chris Rickman also had a (personal record),” Peoples said. “He’s come a long way. He knocked off two minutes from his first time, and that’s pretty good for a freshman.”

Freshman Taytem Johnson (24:59.80) and junior Izzy Jackson (26:44.40) were the only Wolverine girls to compete.

“Izzy ran a PR and Taytem ran her second-best time,” Peoples said. “(Saturday) was cold and miserable. We had a mist for the boys race. By the time the girls ran, the course was wet and we had a light rain.

“We had a good season. We won a meet, which nobody expected in a rebuilding year. I’m looking forward to next year.”