Union City Cross Country Programs Tune Up For Season with Jamboree Exhibition at Union

By Mike Hutchens, Union City Schools Communications Director

Both the Union City Middle and High School cross country teams tuned up for their respective 2023 seasons by competing in the West Tennessee Jamboree at Union University in Jackson Saturday.

Seventh-grader Brody Fields placed fifth in a field of 148 middle school runners with a time of 10:03.4 to earn a medal and pace the UCMS boys, who finished ninth among 13 schools in the 1.5-mile event.

Other Tornado finishers and their times included:

Wrigley Harder 47^th, 11:45.8

Kipton Powers 49^th, 11.51.8

Nash Norsworthy 63^rd, 12:04.5

Will D. McKinnis 107^th, 13.05.1

Walton Harder 147^th, 17:31.6

Ainsley Beard was the top UCMS girl finisher, coming in 28^th among 93 competitors with a time of 12:04.6. Rylan Bondurant was 51^st at 13:49.6, and Phoebe Coleman placed 52^nd at 13:50.1.

On the high school level, Briley Kate McKinney was 28^th in a field of 89 runners on the 2.2-mile trek with a time of 18:07.2 for the Union City girls.

There were 150 boys that represented 28 schools on the boys’ side.

UC’s best finisher was freshman Woodrow McKinnis (45^th), with a time of 14:36.2. Cory Gentry was 112, and Colton Gary 141^st.

The Union City High School teams will open their regular seasons Tuesday at Dresden, with the Middle School participating in another jamboree at Dresden on Thursday.