Polk County senior Caleb Potter captured the Western Highlands Conference cross-country championship on Wednesday, pacing Wolverine efforts in the meet in Swannanoa.

Potter finished the meet in a time of 17:25, taking top honors by more than 38 seconds over runner-up Jeremiah Flores of Madison, to win the WHC meet for the second straight year.

Polk County freshman Olivia Overholt placed second in the girls conference race, won by Owen sophomore Hannah Larios. Overholt notched a time of 21:20.60.

The Wolverine girls narrowly missed a conference title, finishing just four points behind Owen. Polk County placed two other runners on the all-conference team in addition to Overholt, with Caelan Gaul finishing fifth in 22:32.90 and Taytem Johnson taking eighth in 23:10.80.

Also placing for the Wolverines were Madison Geddings, 12th in 23:46.10, and Amelia Nespeca, 14th in 24:25.00.

Other Polk County runners competing included:

• Lauren Dotson, 15th, 24:26.90

• Ashlyn Ramsey, 20th, 26:02.50

• Lacey Gosnell, 25th, 26:41.70

• Nathalie Ramirez, 33rd, 30:25.20

Eight of the nine runners for Polk County were either freshmen or sophomores, with Nespeca a junior.

The Polk County boys placed third, behind Owen and Madison, with Mark Teague placing 10th to join Potter on the all-conference team.

Jack Derkach came home 11th in a time of 19:08.40, with Bryce Thompson in 17th at 20:08.80 and Chris Rickman in 21st at 20:29.60.

Kiyon Staley finished 24th in 22:21.90 and Gus Maass was 26th in 22:20.10 for the Polk boys.

Owen placed five runners in the top nine spots to claim the team title.

The 1A West Regional will also be held on the Asheville Christian Academy course, the meet set for Oct. 27.

– Submitted by PolkSports.com