South Lenoir’s Ian Ireland and Marina Castillo were named the Eastern Carolina Conference Runners of the Year. Photo by Junious Smith III / Neuse News

DEEP RUN | The best of the Eastern Carolina Conference showed up at South Lenoir High School Wednesday for the conference championships.

In the boys’ race, the Blue Devils easily took home the team award as six runners made it to the top eight. Individually, Ian Ireland finished first with a time of 18:52, six seconds ahead of teammate Bryan Zeagler.

“As a team we try to beat everyone we can and do our best not to take it easy,” Ireland said. “I know Bryan’s a senior, but I didn’t want to lose the race and really wanted to get first place.”

Although Zeagler finished second, he said he was excited for the team to get the victory.

“It’s a big accomplishment for us and I just feel proud about what we’ve accomplished this season,” Zeagler said.

On the girls’ side, Washington edged out South Lenoir for the victory, but individually the Blue Devils’ Marina Castillo finished 30 seconds ahead of the Pam Pack’s Mary Emma Holscher with a time of 23:57. Castillo, who won every conference race she participated in except one, said she was determined to pick up another victory.

“I always try to give my all in a race,” Castillo said. “It doesn’t matter whether I finish first, second, third, fourth or fifth, I’ll feel good if I’ve given everything. I didn’t let pain get to me — it wasn’t going to hurt any more or less as I ran, so I wanted to keep going and try to finish faster. It helps to have family members on the sidelines cheering and I wrote inspirational messages on my legs to remind myself to keep running.”

Ireland was named the ECC Boys’ Runner of the Year with Castillo taking the Girls’ Runner of the Year honors. Dodd was also named ECC Boys and Girls Coach of the Year.

Here are the results from Wednesday’s race. All names posted were All-ECC selections.

BOYS

Ian Ireland (SL) 18:52, Bryan Zeagler (SL) 18:58, Elijah Dawson (AG) 19:34, Emmanuel Fisher (K) 19:36, Eddie Leon (SL) 19:56, Van Villa (SL) 19:58, Ethan Cahoon (SL) 20:01, Gavin Sexton (SL) 20:25, Niejel Wilkins (K) 20:30, Westley Penny (NL) 20:36

GIRLS

Marina Castillo (SL) 23:57, Mary Emma Holscher (W) 24:27, Anna Rouse (NL) 24:59, Stella Frisbie (W) 25:11, Caroline Edwards (SL) 25:42, Kristen Hardee (AG) 26:20, Fatima Torres (W) 26:25, Chandler Woolard (W) 26:37, Jennifer Londono (SL) 26:47, Alyssa Keatts (GC) 27:18