Polk County’s cross country teams continued their 2025 campaign Saturday at the Freedom Invitational, with both squads showing competitive spirit against a strong field of regional opponents.
The Wolverine boys finished sixth out of 16 teams, led by Max Butterfield’s seventh-place individual finish with a time of 17:13.2. Liam Jackson gave Polk County a strong second scorer, crossing the line in 13th place at 17:49.4.
In the team standings, West Henderson and Brevard tied with 94 points, with West Henderson claiming the boys’ title on a tiebreaker. Polk County’s total of 191 points put them ahead of several larger schools in the competition.
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The Wolverines’ scoring was completed by Ethan Jenne (51st), Jacob Jenne (60th) and Dean Holland (62nd), demonstrating the program’s developing depth.
On the girls’ side, Amberina Jenne paced Polk County with a strong showing while foreign exchange student Zoe Gonzales-Estevez provided the day’s most inspiring performance. Coach Alan Peoples noted that when Gonzales-Estevez first joined the team, she couldn’t complete a single lap around the school track. On Saturday, she finished a 5K for the first time.
“She is the story of the day to me,” Peoples said of Gonzales-Estevez’s achievement.
Peoples noted that of the 18 Polk County runners that competed Saturday, 15 of them ran their personal best time.
Sadie Schweitzer (56th, 25:27.7) and Khloe Kitchen (87th, 28:13.3) rounded out Polk County’s girls’ competitors in what proved to be valuable racing experience.
West Henderson captured the girls’ team title with 57 points, followed by Lake Norman Charter (93) and Tuscola (113).
Polk County finishers
Boys
7. Max Butterfield, 17:13.2; 13. Mason Jackson, 17:49.4; 51. Ethan Jenne, 19:41.0; 60. Jacob Jenne, 20:04.2; 62. Dean Holland, 20:08.6; 77. William Finch, 21:08.7; 98. Davis Holbert, 23:30.7
Girls
30. Amberina Jenne, 23:06.0; 56. Sadie Schweitzer, 25:27.7; 87. Khloe Kitchen, 28:13.3; 104. Zoe Gonzales-Estevez, 34:23.2
Co-Ed Open Race
41. Austin Martin, 23:42.3; 43. Caleb Young, 23:47.6; 47. Jayvin Clark, 24:05.1; 48. Isaac Hodges, 24:06.5
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