Will Vandenberg won his first race of the season Monday afternoon on a rainy course in West Jefferson. The Watuaga High sophomore bested the field, despite the elements, by completing

the course in 18:55. Overall, the Pioneers had the top three finishers in the race and six runners in the top ten as they bested Ashe County 22-35 in their dual meet.
Dylan Lewis finished second in 19:03.2 and freshman Joe Wiswell finished third in 19:10.5.
Jonathan Nichols was Ashe County's top finisher. He finished fourth in 19:13.5.
Ashe County dominated women's race by posting a perfect score with 15 points. Mac Church paced the field by winning the race in 22:18.7. The Huskies had the top five finishers in the race. The Pioneers had five runners in the top ten.
Freshman Sophie Sloboda led the Pioneers with a sixth-place finish (24:49.2). Sophomore Addie McLure finished seventh (24:52.5), and three freshman---Grace Bowling (25:38.7), Lauren Welsh (26:07.6), and Savanna Randle (26:21.4)---finished in the top ten. The Pioneers finished with 40 points.
WHS will host the High Country Classic next Saturday, September 29.