Wetumpka Starts XC Season Strong at Volunteer Spirit Classic

LINEVILLE, Ala. - Wetumpka cross country opened its 2025 campaign at the Volunteer Spirit Classic on Saturday. The men finished sixth and the women came in eighth.

On the men's side, Bennett Williams led the way for the Indians with a 22nd place finish of 19:31.21. Senior Walter Lynch was behind him in 39th with a time of 20:49.19. Nathan Hill rounded out the top 50 with a 21:21.69 finish in the first race of his sophomore season.

For the women, Jessilyn Oliver shined brightly with a time of 24:10.44. Her 14th place finish is the fastest time any female at Wetumpka has ran in a season opener since 2020 (Parker Page, 23:40.99). Oliver is only a freshman. 

The Indians' second, third and fourth female runners all ran within 40 seconds of each other. Somer Moone finished 59th in 28:15.50, Finley Davidson earned 62nd running 28:43.03 and Eva Gallander was right behind in 65th at 28:55.63.

Wetumpka now prepares for to race under the lights in next Saturday in Montevallo, Ala. for the Montevallo Early Bird Twilight.

Men's 5K (6th - 210 pts)

Bennett Williams - 22nd - 19:31.21

Walter Lynch - 39th - 20:49.19

Nathan Hill - 50th - 21:21.69

Silas Fallin - 54th - 21:37.22

Kaden Peterson-Dillard - 55th - 21:38.96

Parker Williams - 73rd - 22:32.51

Jack Ruppert - 94th - 23:24.91

Landen Focia-Matmanivong - 96th - 23:24.91

Graydon Culver - 115th - 24:25.32

Joshua Larsen - 126th - 24:45.66

Women's 5K (8th - 233 pts)

Jessilyn Oliver - 14th - 24:10.44

Somer Moone - 59th - 28:15.59

Finley Davisson - 62nd - 28:43.03

Eva Gallander - 65th - 28:55.63

Kamyll Rogers - 116th - 36:28.69