A week after winning its first region title the Nation Ford High School cross country team placed several runners among the top 10 in the state last weekend. Meanwhile, Fort Mill High's runners had a strong showing at the Upper State meet with the boys finishing in second and the girls in third.

Runners from both schools posted times that rank among the national elite.

Fort Mill's Mark Blackmon finished in the top spot among the boys at Upper State, running the course in 16:06. Jonathan Kalshoven was 21st with a time of 17:12. Drew Marshall was close behind at 27 in 17:22, followed by teammates Jon Tennis (39th, 7:38), Nick Eberhardt (45th, 17:43) and Michael Strenk (52nd, 17:58).

The Lady Yellow Jackets, who won the region meet, also came home with a strong third place finish overall, ending with a total of 72 points. Quanika Blackmon finished third with a time of 19:23, qualifying her for national elite status.

Teammate Taylor Miller finished 13th with a time of 20:04 and teammate Abby Lewis was right behind her with a time of 20:06. Adrienne Cuff took the 17th spot in 20:20. Julia Van Buskirk was number 25 with a time of 20:43, Lisa Nichols came in 27th with a time of 20:56 and Ericka Friddle, finished 29th in 21:01.

The Yellow Jackets now prepare for the upcoming South Carolina State Meet Saturday, Nov. 8, in Columbia.

In what was a close race among top teams in the area, Nation Ford finished in the top spot in the region meet with a total of 50 points, edging out rival Fort Mill.

"Kent Bonebrake was the determining factor in the race," coach Scott Barefield said.

Mark Blackmon set a course record with a time of 17:58 and took home first place. Kevin Coleman of Nation Ford finished in second place with a time of 18:07. Kevin Ketner came in fifth with a time of 18:23 and Ian Wallace finished 10th in 18:57.

The Lady Falcons battled and won second place with a total of 50 points, beating out Northwestern. Meredith Kilburn took home second place for the Falcons with a time of 21:49. Teammate Aubrey Gunnels finished in ninth place with a time of 23:06 and Mariah Emenhiser came in 10th with a time of 23:46.

Coleman came in fourth at Upper State with a with a time of 16:23, one of the top times in the U.S.

Ian Wallace came in 22nd with a time of 17:13. Dennis Randar was in 28th place with a time of 17:24 and was followed by Kevin Ketner (38th, 17:37) and Josh Owens (57th, 18:01).

Nation Ford's girls finished fifth overall, led by Meredith Kilburn's eighth-pace finish in 19:52. Aubrey Gunnels placed 21st with a time of 20:32 and Imani Smith was close behind at 22nd in 20:33.

Polly Goss finished 57th with time of 22:25, followed by Britt Parnell in 60th place ( 22:40) and Jana Walker (61st, 22:40).