Polk County’s men’s cross country team made strong showing at two of their recent meets placing second at both Beeson Park’s Open Division 5K on Oct. 13 and the 1A Championship meet Oct. 17.
At the Oct. 13 event, Polk’s Chip Collins came in first place with a personal best record of 17:06. Polk also took second place with Jacob Collins’ personal best record of 17:57.  Sean Doyle (18:25), Daniel Painter (18:26) and Jake Russell (18:44) also ran for their personal best times.
Two of Polk County Women’s runners competed in the 5K Open Event. Shea Wheeler ran (22:52), closely followed by Nancy Silva (22:58).
Runners were greeted with near perfect conditions and a landscape painted with brilliant reds, oranges and yellows at Jackson Park for the 1A Championship meet.
Finishing in third place was Jacob Collins with a personal record (17:24), and not far behind him was fourth place runner, Chip Collins (17:48). The men’s team placed second in the meet, only behind Mitchell. Sean Doyle ran 18:15, and closely behind was Jacob Wolfe (19:07), Daniel Painter (19:11) and Jake Russell (19:14). Will Sachse placed a personal best record at 20:37.
The ladies followed the men with Shea Wheeler posting Polk’s fastest time at seventh in the meet with 23:01. Next was Nancy Silva, placing 12th with a run of 23:32, and then Leigh Deaver, 19th in the race, at 24:44. The women’s team placed sixth overall in the meet.
Additionally, Jacob Collins and Chip Collins of Polk’s men’s team competed in the WHC All-Conference meet, finishing third and fourth respectively. The ladies sent Shea Wheeler to compete in the meet, where she was able to finish seventh.