WENDELL - It wasn't exactly running weather when the Knights and Warriors met for a final regular season cross country meet last Wednesday at the community park, but the home team managed to protect its home course.

The East Wake men's team out ran Knightdale's 20-41 and the Lady Warriors won 19-41 in a saturated 5K run in temperatures more commonly seen this time of year.

First and second place runners for both the men and women came from each school. Knightdale's Matt Gleason turned in the fastest overall time of 18:56, East's Matt Crecco carded a 19:10, Lady Warrior Jessica Garcia finished in 21:40 and Lady Knight Jaha Cruz broke the Knightdale High School women's team record with a 23:44.

Despite some team skepticism on running in the less than desirable conditions, Knight and Warrior coaches said they were pleased with the turnout of the event.

"Most runners were surprised that the meet had not been called off," Knightdale coach Michelle Johnson said. "Some were nervous about running in the rain and possibly slipping. After the run, they had gained new confidence in themselves. They had braved the elements and done good times. It was a positive experience and I am glad coach Costantino did not cancel the meet."

Still, Johnson said most runners conserved themselves with the conference meet on the horizon.

Warrior coach Mike Costantino said he was extremely proud of how eager his team was to run given the conditions.

"Sure they joked about freezing on the course, but most of them truly wanted to get out there," he said. "Part of it was their desire to compete and a lot of it was the desire to have a successful senior night. And most of the times were pretty good, likely because of the cold, the distance runner's friend."

As the meet got underway Costantino said he was sure the puddlish status of the course would have a significant impact on times the teams turned in, but all said and done the Warriors had 11 athletes score a personal best time on their home course - something the coach considers to be astounding.

Both coaches can already see areas their teams will hurt next year in losing seniors or improve in gaining experience.

Next year's goal for Knightdale will be to grow as a team, and to continue to develop Gleason's potential, according to Johnson.

"We will lose team captains Amanda Mitchell, Eric Kaba and Travis Newton, and will need to develop leaders in the rising senior class," she said.

Costantino said the East Wake women have a major task ahead of them, and that is replacing seniors Garcia, Ashley Stacy and Sarah Broadwell.

"They've been the heart of this team for three years and are three of our top five runners," Costantino said. "We'll still have talented runners, so the cupboard isn't bare, but some restocking is necessary."

The Warrior men have a different challenge - building on what they already have. The group is mostly made up of freshmen and sophomores. Costantino said focus will be the determining factor.

"If the men's team can maintain its focus, stay healthy, and put in the hours of distance running over the summer, then next year could see an East Wake team fighting for third place in the conference."

The Knights and Warriors competed in the conference meet yesterday (Tuesday), again at Wendell Community Park. Results were not available at press time.

The regional meet for the top seven men and women from each team will be held on the Saturday morning of Halloween at 10 a.m. at South View High School in Hope Mills. It will mark the end of the road for runners who don't qualify for the state meet - to be held Saturday, Nov. 7, at Tanglewood Park outside Winston-Salem.

Team results:

Women:

KD - 2, 7, 10, 11, 12 - 42

EW - 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 - 19

Men:

KD - 1, 8, 9, 11, 12 - 41

EW - 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 - 20

Individual results:

Women:

1 - Jessica Garcia (EW) 21:40; 2 - Jaha Cruz (K) 23:44; 3 - Ashley Stacy (EW) 24:42; 4 - Emily Oakley (EW) 25:33; 5 - Sarah Broadwell (EW) 26:06; 6 - Kaitlyn Moss (EW) 27:00; 7 - Lacy Haig (K) 27:20; 8 - Erica Frederick (EW) 28:45; 9 - Lindsey Broadwell (EW) 29:40; 10 - Amanda Mitchell (K) 29:53; 11 - Anna Powell (K) 30:02.

Men:

1 - Matt Gleason (K) 18:56; 2 - Matt Crecco (EW) 19:10; 3 - Austin Boyette (EW) 19:29; 4 - Logan Jones (EW) 19:46; 5 - Camden Finch (EW) 19:54; 6 - Alex Louden (EW) 20:53; 7 - Carson Lyman (EW) 21:04; 8 - Eric Kaba (K) 21:33; 9 - Travis Newton (K) 21:42; 10 - John Watkins (EW) 23:09; 11 - Nick Pirro (EW) 23:12; 12 - Bryan Duttman (EW) 23:30; 13 - Donal Gooch (EW) 24:38; 14 - Tim Costin (K) 25:28; 15 - Zack Russell (K) 26:17; 16 - Zach Heath (EW) 30:36.