Warhorses chart course for state championship run
Senior Elijah Jones leads Owen cross country quest for title
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
September 19, 2022
Owen senior Elijah Jones now holds two of the top three cross country times in school history, following his 15:52.1 performance in the Watermelon Run 5K in Cullowhee, Sept. 13. Photo by Fred McCormick
It’s difficult to read the face of Elijah Jones, as he effortlessly racks up miles on the trails and sidewalks around Black Mountain. The Owen High School senior’s stoic expression could indicate deep thought or quiet reflection, but the Warhorses cross country team believes it’s the look of determination that will lead to a state championship.
If he remains on his current course, Jones, who posted the second fastest time in school history, Sept. 13, in the Watermelon Run in Cullowhee, there is little doubt his team could deliver a title to the Swannanoa Valley.
Success is nothing new for the Warhorses, who have captured the Western Highlands Conference championship each of the last four seasons. The team finished third in the NCHSAA 2A State Championship meet last fall. Jones, the reigning WHC Cross Country Runner of the Year, finished 13th in the state.
As he prepared to enter his senior season, Jones set his sights on the top spot.
Elijah Jones finished 13th among 2A high school runners in the state last fall. The Owen senior, who has won four straight races to start the 2022 campaign, has set his sights on a state championship this year. Photo by Fred McCormick
“The biggest goal I had coming in was winning state,” he said. “I’ve also had my eyes on the school record, which is 15:36, but I may get that, and I might not. But an individual state championship for me won’t really matter unless we also get one as a team.”
Jones, undefeated through his first four races of the 2022 campaign, relied on a regimented training schedule through the summer months to get in shape for his final cross country season at Owen.
“I slowly built up mileage, doing easier, longer runs, but nothing too fast,” he said. “Once I hit 60 miles a week, I’ve stayed there while slowly increasing speed workouts throughout the season so far.”
Jones has developed into one of the best distance runner in the state, according to fifth-year Owen cross country head coach Bob Sadlemire, who attributes the athlete’s success to his work ethic.
“Elijah is completely dedicated to the sport,” he said. “He runs all year long, and we’ve seen him get stronger each day. I have every belief he will win the state meet.”
Jones opened the season, Aug. 27, with a top finish of 16:24.2 at the WNC Cross Country Carnival in Hendersonville. He collected his second straight victory four days later with a 10:12.5 finish in the 2-mile Rocket Chase Race at Reynolds. He followed that performance with another win at the Friday Night Lights XC Festival, Sept. 9, as he bested a field of hundreds of runners with a time of 16:08.4.
His showing on the course bodes well for the team’s championship aspirations, according to Sadlemire.
“That course is where the state championship will be held, which is one of the primary reasons we participated in that event,” he said. “Elijah’s run there quite a few times, but some of our guys hadn’t seen it.”
While Jones continued to lower his time through the first three meets of the season, he entered last week’s Watermelon Run with a shot at the Owen record, which was set by Brandon Pung in 2005 and was the only sub-16-minute run in school history.
“They have a really fast course out there, and it’s almost like a road race with how flat and nice it is,” he said. “I knew I was in shape to finish in under 16 minutes, but I was hoping to get the school record. I didn’t quite get it, but I still have a decent shot at it later in the season.”
The Owen Warhorses begin practice at Veterans Park, Sept. 15, as they look to compete for an NCHSAA 2A State Championship in 2022. Photo by Fred McCormick
While his time of 15:52.1 fell seconds short of the record, Jones now claims two of the top three 5K runs in the Owen cross country record books.
“It still feels nice, because throughout my high school running career I’ve worked my way up,” he said. “I started out really slow, wanting to puke after every race, and each year I’d become a little faster than someone else on the team. So now, in my senior year, it’s all coming together.”
Jones is one of three seniors, including Jaheem O’Hara and Tad Sloan-Westmoreland, running in the top five of the Warhorse roster this season, according to Sadlemire.
“Jaheem and Elijah have been on this team for four years,” the coach said. “Jaheem is a raw talent, and his times always keep us solid.”
The addition of Sloan-Westmoreland further solidifies the roster, he added.
”Tad was on the football team last year, and he joined the track team last spring,” Sadlemire continued. “He started running, and he was instantly good. This is his first year running cross country, and he will be one of our top three runners, so having him really helps us be in contention for the state title.”
The roster is boosted by juniors Leo Parmenter and Steve Garcia and sophomores Eli Lewkowicz and Harding Kinnaird.
“Our seniors are really our leaders, and our younger athletes are still improving,” Sadlemire said. “Leo is a solid fifth runner for us, and Eli is also in our top five, and possibly our top three, this year.”
A photo of the team would make a nice addition to the cafeteria in Owen, according to Jones.
“I look up in the cafeteria and see these big banners of Owen cross country teams that have won state in the past, and it would be nice to have our team up there forever,” he said. “What really matters is that we have our top five working together to win, because I know we can bring home a state championship.”