Alexander Nemethy and Emma Balazs were the best of the bunch at a weekend cross-country running race in Vanderhoof.
Even though he's only in Grade 10 at Vanderhoof's Nechako Valley secondary school, Nemethy was the quickest boy on a 6.3-kilometre course. His time of 22 minutes 24 seconds placed him ahead of Duchess Park senior Zach Matyas (23:40) and Grade 9 College Heights student Isaac Goodrich, who clocked in at 24:20.
Balazs, in her Grade 12 year at Kelly Road secondary, ran a 4.3km route and posted a winning time of 16:09. She finished in front of a pair of juniors, Danika Robson from Williams Lake (17:09) and Julia Babicz of College Heights (17:11).
Category winners included: male -- K-Grade 1, James Waisitz; Grade 2-3, Eric Anderson; Grade 4-5, Hyatt Verduzco; Gr. 6-7, Simon Nemethy; bantam (Grade 8) 4.3km, Colten Illingworth; bantam 6.3km, Brennan Schwartz; adult, Michael Butler; female -- Grade 2-3, Maddison Seely; Grade 4-5, Payton Mueller; Grade 6-7, Georgia Verduzco; bantam, Grace McTaggart; juvenile, KyraTeetzen; women, Mini Verduzco.
Nechako Valley took the team title for the boys and College Heights claimed that honour for the girls.
The north central zone high school championships will be held on Saturday, with the start/finish line at D.P. Todd secondary. The girls race will start at 10:45 a.m. and the boys race will begin at 11:45 a.m.
On Nov. 3, the provincial championship meet will be held on the same course.
