Three former Buchanan County standouts are competing together this fall as members of the University of Virginia’s College at Wise women’s cross-country team.
Senior Alexsis Porter, sophomore Jayda Hilton and freshman Ella Rasnake make up one-third of the Highland Cavaliers’ nine-runner roster.
Porter enjoyed an outstanding career at Grundy High School, while Hilton led Hurley High School during her prep career. Rasnake established herself as one of the area’s top runners while competing for Council High School.
The three runners once represented different Buchanan County schools. They now compete as teammates at the NCAA Division II level.
Porter began her senior season as one of the South Atlantic Conference’s runners to watch and lived up to that recognition in UVA Wise’s season opener Sept. 4 at the Virginia Tech Invitational in Blacksburg.
Porter led the Cavaliers by placing 20th in the women’s 4.385-kilometer race with a time of 17 minutes, 28.9 seconds.
UVA Wise placed fifth in the team standings with 134 points.
Freshman Amelia Lewis was UVA Wise’s second finisher, placing 31st in 18:23.4. Sadie Brewer finished 42nd in 19:15.7, while Shay Cannon placed 49th in 19:48.7.
Kaylen Fields completed the Cavaliers’ team score by finishing 57th in 21:10.
Hilton crossed the finish line one position behind Fields, placing 58th with a time of 21:11.5. The former Hurley standout is in her second season with the UVA Wise program.
Senior Jayden Sisk placed 62nd in 26:09.2.
Rasnake did not compete in the season opener as she continues working her way back from an injury. The former Council standout is expected to compete for a place in the Cavaliers’ lineup when she returns.
In addition to Porter, Hilton and Rasnake, UVA Wise’s roster includes Sisk, a John Battle graduate; Cannon, a Virginia High graduate; Fields and freshman Kiley Adair, both from J.I. Burton; Lewis, a Thomas Walker graduate; and Brewer, a George C. Marshall graduate.
