Owen brings home a state championship

Warhorses take first cross country title since 2008

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
November 5, 2022

The Owen Warhorses take the stage in Kernersville, Nov. 5, as the 2022 NCHSAA 2A Cross Country State Champions. Photo courtesy of Maggie Jones

For the first time in 14 years, the NCHSAA 2A State Championship is coming back to Owen High School. 

Five Warhorses, led by the third place finish of senior Elijah Jones, combined for 83 points, Nov. 5, to take the title in Kernersville.

Jones completed the 5K in 16:19.65, less than 5 seconds behind first place finisher, Jack Anstrom of Seaforth High School and just over a second after the second runner, Andrew Parker of N.C. School of Science and Math. The Owen runner was joined in the top 10 by his Warhorse teammate, senior Jaheem O’Hara (17:01.36), who finished eighth. 

Owen senior Elijah Jones, who finished third in the 2022 NCHSAA 2A State Championship Meet, Nov. 5, holds the program’s first state title since 2008. Photo courtesy of Maggie Jones

The respective 21st and 22nd place runs of sophomores Harding Kinnard (17:50.17) and Eli Lewkowicz (17:51.2), combined with senior Tad Sloan-Westmoreland’s 18:14.23 in the 30th position, gave Owen an 8-point differential over second place Lincoln Charter. 

The state championship, which the team last won under longtime coach Joe Hyder in 2008, is the first for current head coach Bob Sadlemire, who took over the team in 2018. It was the fourth straight meet in which the team finished in the top spot and marked the fifth time the Warhorses have taken first this season. 

Jones and O’Hara were both named to the All-State Cross Country team after the meet, while O’Hara was also presented with a Sportsmanship Award.