By Gaylen Duskey
realfang@citlink.net
While Roane County High School standout Randy Price and Calhoun High School state cross country participant Anna Sampson both won in their 2008 running debut in the Calhoun Cup Series May 31 by winning the Russett River Run, it was Brian Taylor who made the biggest move of all.
Taylor, a standout runner from Roane County, finished second behind Price but moved into first place in the men's running division of the Calhoun Cup.
Taylor, who swept all three races sponsored by the Calhoun Runners last year, finished a strong second in the season-opening race -- the Flower Power Run -- despite battling injuries, giving him a two-race total of four in the lower-the-better points standings.
On the women's side Melinda Fitzwater had a three-point total for the lead among runners.
Marty Owings of Pennsboro has won both women's walking events for a total of two -- perfect after two races.
Mark Rooper of Cross Lanes and William Cunningham of Mineral Wells are tied at three after two races with Rooper taking first place in the Russett River Run.
The biggest winner in the Russett River Run, however, may have been Calhoun Middle School student David Overbay who shaved 18 minutes and six seconds off his time from the first race. Overbay ran in the Flower Power run while battling back from surgery.
The next race in the series in Saturday (June 7, 2008) with the Wood Festival 5K Run/Walk. The race starts at 8:30 a.m. in front of the Calhoun County Court House and winds its way through Grantsville to the Leafbank Road before finishing at Wayne Underwood Field.
That race is quickly followed on June 14 by the Appalachian at Calhoun County Park. Start time is 10 a.m.
RESULTS: Russett River Run
(Second Race of Calhoun Cup Series)
May 31, 2008
Grantsville, WV
Men's Running
1.Randy Price, Spencer, 19:29
2.Brian Taylor, Spencer, 19:47
3.Carl Ferguson, Glenville, 22:07
4.Duane Haughey, Ravenswood, 27:16
5.Tom Nichols, Cairo, 31:00
6.David Overbay, Mt. Zion, 33:05
Men's Walking
1.Mark Rooper, Cross Lanes, 33:02
2.William Cunningham, Mineral Wells, 35:29
Women's Running
1.Anna Sampson, Millstone, 27:07
2.Melinda Fitzwater, Mount Zion, 31:22
3. Maria Kisner, Mount Zion, 39:23.
3. (tie) Elizabeth Duskey, Normantown, 39:23.
Women's Walking
1.Marty Owings, Pennsboro, 40:58
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