Lenoir City High School's cross country team competed at the Victor Ashe Park Fall Classic Saturday, with two of the Panthers' girls putting in very strong times.

Chandler Rogers finished seventh in the 5K with a time of 20:28, just four seconds shy of the school record, and Haley Morris finished eighth with a time of 20:41.

"Their workouts have been very solid so far and they seem to be on track for a top 10 spot at regional, which would qualify them for the state meet," head coach Jeff Kuhl said. "Everything we do in the next four weeks will be with that goal in mind."

Nathan Jones, the team's strongest male runner, passed on the meet, but did compete Sept. 8 at the Cherokee Classic, finishing 13th with a time of 16:59.

"He is an experienced runner and we are focused on training more than racing this season," Kuhl said. "He followed the race plan and ran a fast first mile. Learning how to handle the fast start is important for later meets, especially regional and state."

Lenoir City's remaining runners competed in the junior varsity event. Alexis Lankford ran a 26:12, Jacob Hodnett a 21:25, Alex Clark ran 22:10, Tanner Russell ran 22:14, Nathan Lawton finished with 23:50 and Lane Matlock a 25:45.

Lenoir City will travel Sept. 22 to Chattanooga for the next meet.