SALEM — The defending Class 1 state cross-country champions had no problems moving to Class 2. The Pioneers and senior star Derek Mitchell made it back-to-back. Mitchell won consecutive individual championships, and the Lebanon boys brought home the ‘gold’ as a team.
“After countless practices, strategies, and lots of other happenings, it was a great experience winning back-to-back state titles,” elated Lebanon coach Travis Hooker said. “When we moved up classifications, I knew that we would have to be much faster individually and as a team, and we did that.”
It was déjà vu again for the team at the VHSL Class 2 championships at Green Hill Park on Saturday, November 11th.
Mitchell started fast and never slowed, leading from start to finish and breaking the meet and school record with his 15:39.1 on the flat 5-kilometer course.
“Derek winning and setting the school 5K record, and also back-to-back Individual championships,” stated Hooker. “That doesn’t happen often.”
The Lebanon boys had a score of 69 to defeat runner-up Clarke County (80) by 11. It was a fantastic day for the Pioneers. Eli Taylor (seventh, 16:42.8) was solid throughout the season, and Alec Deckard (10th, 16:47.7) had another great run, as Lebanon placed three in the top ten. Carter Dillon (18th, 17:01.8), one of the few runners who also plays football, and Blake Chafin (54th, 17:59.0) were tremendous.
“Eli and Alec, both making All-State again, was a vital part of this state championship, and they solidified themselves as having unbelievable careers,” Hooker said. “Carter Dillon, coming in and running was a big part of the win. He would get up three days in the morning before school and do his workouts.”
Five of the top seven will graduate. Chafin and freshman Charlie Brown are returning for Lebanon.
“2024 will be a year of lots of new runners,” commented Hooker. “These kids have got to look up to the seniors and know how hard they need to work to set them up to be successful.”