The Hive Sports

by James Tate

Region 5 girls: Cook battles through tough season to win title

On a warm autumn afternoon, the Region 5 girls’ cross-country championship unfolded with grit, grace, and a dominant team performance from the Box Elder Bees. While Northridge sophomore Evelyn Cook surged to an individual title with a commanding time of 18:48.82, it was the Bees who stole the team spotlight, packing the top five with a swarm of seasoned seniors and rising talent. Cook finished fourth last year in the Region 5 championship race and was ready to see her hard work pay off.

“I’ve had a rough season, but today I started a little slower than usual,” Cook said. “My plan was to start moving up at mile two, and I did. I just kicked it in at the end.”

Evelyn Cook

Box Elder’s championship run was anchored by senior Macie Lee, who chased Cook to the line with a time of 18:58.24. She was followed by her sister Maya Lee (19:23.71), Elizabeth Rupper (19:33.78), and sophomore Brynlee Cragun (19:38.59), completing a dominant 2nd-through-5th sweep that sealed the team title with emphatic clarity. The Bees successfully defended their Region 5 crown, and for Macie Lee, the runner-up finish marked a dramatic leap forward from last year’s tenth-place showing (19:21.89).

Bonneville senior Kestle Eames broke up the Bees’ momentum with a sixth-place finish in 19:39.53, while Box Elder added a seventh-place punch from senior Leilanne Castillo-Rivera (19:43.85). West Field’s Kaitlyn Yerka (19:45.84) held strong in eighth, and Northridge rounded out the top ten with senior Sarah Hammond and junior Abbi Frost finishing ninth and tenth respectively.

Region 5 boys: Lattin wins the race, Silverwolves win the war

In a race that balanced individual firepower with team strategy, Fremont’s depth proved decisive as the Silverwolves captured the Region 5 boys cross country title. With four runners finishing in the top ten, Fremont edged out a strong Box Elder squad led by senior Parker Lattin’s impressive individual win.

Lattin surged to the front early and never looked back, crossing the line in 15:40.93 to claim the region crown. Northridge junior Jeff Hazard followed in second at 15:44.76, while Fremont senior Graham Judkins secured third in 16:02.87, the first of four Silverwolves to crack the top ten.

Jeff Hazard (l) Parker Lattin (r)

The Silverwolves ran with discipline and unity and had an excellent strategy to take the title in their first year in Region 5. Box Elder senior Bryce Mecham kept the Bees in contention with a fourth-place finish (16:14.34), but Fremont answered with Beau Jenkins in fifth (16:18.86) and senior Zack Steoger in sixth (16:25.64).

Box Elder’s Jaron Miller placed seventh (16:28.40), but Fremont sealed the team title with freshman Duncan Judkins crossing eighth in 16:36.10.

West Field sophomore Braxton Aschliman (16:46.36) and Northridge senior Stephen Bentley (16:51.56) rounded out the top ten.

“One thing our coach brought up at camp this summer was that we have two sets of biological brothers, and as a team, we’re all brothers,” said Graham Judkins. “That bond has carried through our season. We always cheer ‘brothers’ before we race, and it reminds us of the goal we set back then: to win region. I’m so proud of what our young freshmen have accomplished. Without them, we couldn’t have done this. We all played a role, and we still have more to play. We’re proud of each other and excited to chase a great state performance.”

Duncan Judkins (l), Jaron Miller (m), Noah Malan (r)

All photos, including junior varsity, click here.

all times and results courtesy of SportTrax