Perquimans, Gates, Camden, Manteo Runners Advance to State Meet
RED OAK – The John A. Holmes High School cross country program will be well represented at the state level next week, as senior Robert Layton, sophomore Rommel Cortezano, and the Aces’ girls’ team all secured qualification for the NCHSAA 2A State Championship after strong performances Saturday at the East Regional meet at Red Oak Middle School in Nash County.
It was a brisk, sunny morning for the region’s top runners, and the Aces rose to the occasion on one of the toughest courses in eastern North Carolina. Competing against deep fields from Lejeune, Camden County, Manteo, Pamlico County, and East Wake Academy, Holmes showed both endurance and depth to punch their tickets to Kernersville’s Ivey Redmon Park next Friday.
A gallery of photos from the meet appears at the end of this story.
Layton leads Aces boys with top-10 finish
Senior Robert Layton ran like a man on a mission in his final regional appearance, finishing 6th overall with a time of 18:04, securing his second straight trip to the state championship meet.
“It feels amazing to get back to states,” Layton said after catching his breath near the finish chute. “Last year I was nervous just to qualify. This time, I wanted to prove I belong with the best. I’ve worked all season for this.”
Layton kept pace with the front pack that featured Camden County’s Noah Davis, who took first place in 16:37, and Jude Keller of Lejeune, who was just a second behind at 16:38. Despite a fast start from the leaders, Layton’s smart pacing paid off as he surged in the second half of the 5K course, passing several runners in the final mile.
Coach Matt Goetsch praised his senior’s composure and consistency.
“Robert has been our anchor all year,” he said. “He doesn’t panic, he runs his race, and that’s why he’s going back to Kernersville. For a senior to qualify twice—it’s a huge accomplishment.”
Layton’s teammate Rommel Cortezano, a freshman competing in his first regional championship, finished 25th overall in 19:37, earning an individual berth to states as well.
“Rommel really showed heart today,” Goetsche said. “He’s got a bright future ahead. He’s learning from Robert what it takes to compete at this level.”
As a team, the Aces’ boys finished eighth overall with 188 points, ahead of Northwest Halifax and Rosewood. While Lejeune captured the team title with 45 points behind its deep five-runner spread, JAHHS’ qualification of two individual runners marks one of the program’s strongest showings in years.
Girls team advances as a unit
While the boys were paced by their senior leader, the Aces’ girls’ team made their mark by qualifying as a team for the state meet—an honor that drew smiles and tears from both runners and coaches.
Led by sophomore Jessica Lopez-Bonilla, who finished 32nd in 28:13, the Lady Aces compiled 162 team points, placing sixth overall to earn one of the final team qualifying spots.
Joining Lopez-Bonilla in the scoring were Skylar Biggs (34th, 28:27), Emma Toney (46th, 30:19), Oniya Wynn (47th, 30:23), and Elizabeth Ayers (53rd, 34:59).
“This means everything to us,” Lopez-Bonilla said. “We’ve worked all season to get here. Nobody thought we’d qualify, but we believed in each other.”
Ayers added, “This was my second time going to regionals, and I can say it was definitely the most rewarding. Even though the race was a bit tough, finding out that we made it to States made it all worth it.”
Aces’ racer and pacer Toney said, “The race felt great! It was hilly and decent weather out. It was a great race and course overall and would definitely run it again. And it is amazing to know we are going to states its feels like a great accomplishment. That felt so far away in the beginning of the season but look at where we are now!”
At the top of the girls’ standings, Lejeune dominated with 37 points, led by Madison Perry (22:39) and a deep pack that placed five runners in the top 12. Camden County was a close second with 42 points, powered by Kamryn Rowe (22:11) and Camila Rosado-De Leon (22:51). Manteo, led by individual champion Meredith Gaskill (21:25), took third with 56 points.
Perquimans Pirates’ Nakayla McArthur crossed the finish line with a time of 26:06 minutes — she too will advance to the state meet.
Gates County runners’ Emily Broughman (25:44) and Adalyn Boone (27:27) will advance to the state meet.
Strong showings for local rivals
Several other Albemarle-area programs also made their mark in Rocky Mount.
Camden County’s Noah Davis captured the boys’ individual regional title, crossing the line in 16:37, just edging out Lejeune’s Keller. The Camden boys placed seventh overall, while the Camden girls were regional runners-up, led by Rowe’s second-place finish.
Manteo’s Luke Stevens (18:01) and Solomon Cooper (18:28) placed fifth and eighth respectively to help the Redskins finish fourth as a team. Manteo’s girls, meanwhile, finished third overall behind Lejeune and Camden, highlighted by Gaskill’s commanding win and Jennifer Pena-Munoz’s fifth-place run.
Gates County’s Jy’zhire Watford (21:20) and Nolan Miller (22:59) both completed solid efforts for the Red Barons, while Perquimans County’s Lucas Miller (21:36) and Zakariah Lane (23:05) represented the Pirates — they advance to the state meet.
Looking ahead to Kernersville
Next Friday, Layton, Cortezano, and the Lady Aces will make the 200-mile trip west to Ivey Redmon Sports Complex in Kernersville, home to the NCHSAA State Cross Country Championships.
For Layton, it will be a chance to improve on last year’s state finish and cap off his high school career on the sport’s biggest stage. For the Holmes girls, it will mark a new chapter in program history.
“I told them before the race—don’t think about times, think about legacy,” Coach Goetsch said. “Now, they’re part of that legacy. No matter what happens next week, they’ve made Edenton proud.”
The state meet will feature the top qualifiers from all four 2A regional championships, with races set to begin at 3:00 p.m. for the girls and 1:45 p.m. for the boys.
As the sun set over the Red Oak course Saturday, the Aces loaded back onto their bus with medals around their necks, smiles on their faces, and a renewed sense of purpose.
“We’re not done yet,” Layton said with a grin. “Kernersville—here we come.”
Below are the top 10 times for runners from the Albemarle Athletic Conference who competed in the Regional meet. More results can be found on Milesplit.
Top 10 Local Boys Finishers – East Regional (5K)
- Noah Davis, Camden County – 16:37
- Luke Stevens, Manteo — 18:91
- Robert Layton, John A. Holmes – 18:04
- Solomon Cooper, Manteo — 18:28
- Rommel Cortezano, John A. Holmes – 19:37
- Nicholas Kiser, Manteo — 20:11
- Nicholas Jacquelin, Manteo — 20:51
- Bennett Jones, Manteo — 21:03
- Jy’zhire Watford, Gates County – 21:20
- Micah Kelsey, Camden — 21:33
Top 10 AAC Girls Finishers – East Regional (5K)
- Meredith Gaskill, Manteo – 21:25
- Kamryn Rowe, Camden County – 22:11
- Camila Rosado-De Leon, Camden – 22:51
- Jennifer Pena-Munoz, Matteo – 22:59
- Aurora Hicks, Camden – 23:38
- Kaelyn Windham, Camden – 23:37
- Sophia Cooper, Manteo – 24:30
- Leslie Alvarez, Manteo – 25:41
- Emily Broughman, Gates – 25:44
- Nakayla McArthur, Perquimans – 36:06
2 responses to “Aces Earn State Berths at East Regional Cross Country Championship”
Perquimans and Gates runners are “local”. So when you do top “local” runners they should be included.
We included Perquimans and Gates throughout the story.