Johnny Hamel wins Norton cross country meet
Stockton hosting XC Meet this Thursday
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JOHNNY HAMEL captured first place at the cross country meet in Norton, running the race in a time of 18:45. (Courtesy Photo) -
LOOKING RATHER RELAXED, Johnny Hamel, with Coach Chris Graham in the background, traverses the cross country course in Norton. Hamel won the race by 13 seconds. (Courtesy Photo) -
Johnny Hamel wins Norton cross country meet
Stockton sophomore Johnny Hamel picked up where he left off last season when, as a freshman, he earned a 13th-place medal at the 1A State Cross Country Meet with a time of 17:33.
The season opener in Norton last Thursday found Hamel capturing first place, running the course in a time of 18:45, 13 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher. Hamel’s time this season was 35+ seconds better than his time at last year’s Norton meet.
Ryleigh Gardner, who ran in the JV race, finished second with a time of 32:58.
Coach Chris Graham, who is beginning his ninth season as cross country coach, has four runners on his 2021 roster: High school—Johnny Hamel and Ryleigh Gardner; and Junior High—Kolt Kuhlmann and Christine Jurgens. With the exception of Hamel, the other three runners are competing in the sport for the first time, and Graham is excited about the enthusiasm each of the athletes possess. “Our newcomers have been awesome to work with so far, and Johnny is a terrific influence on them,” said Graham. “They all work hard and are doing their best,” he added.
This Thursday fans will have a chance to watch the Tiger harriers, as Stockton will host its annual junior high/high school meet at Webster State Park, beginning at 4:00 p.m.
The 2021 Schedules for high school and junor high are as follows:
