Staff Reports

Aaron Combs, a rising senior at Starmount High, used a strong finish to win Saturday’s Great Waldensian 5K Footrace in Valdese.

The state runner-up in the 800 meters from this past track season kicked past former East Burke all-state runner Michael Joquins over the last 400 for the victory. Combs’ final time on the hilly course was 17:14. Joquins crossed in 17:19.

The Great Waldensian Footrace is one of the oldest road races in North Carolina, now in its 35th consecutive year.

Combs and Joquins traded places at the front for most of this year’s 5K. Joquins had a step or two lead going into the final half mile, but Combs turned things up a notch at the end to pull away.

During the off-season, Combs competes for the Wings of the Wind Road Runners club, coached by Dan Merritt.

“Aaron ran a very smart race,” Merritt said. “He was to try to stay with whoever was leading, and if he was with them at the end, out kick them. He executed his race strategy perfectly.

“Aaron is a novice at cross country but I think he is going to surprise some people this fall.”

A handful of other Wings of the Wind runners joined Combs in Valdese on Saturday. Former East Wilkes standout Eric Blackburn, a state cross country champion in 2008, placed third in the 10K race. His time was 37:06.

Blackburn will run at Mars Hill College this fall.

“Eric won the 5K here last year and since he will be running the 8K (five miles) in college he moved up to the 10K race this year,” Merritt said. “It was his first 10K race ever.  He ran extremely well on a very difficult course.  Eric held his own against more seasoned runners.

“He will report to Mars Hill in excellent shape and will be a valuable asset to the team in his first year.”

Zack Millsaps, a rising sophomore at Elkin High, placed eighth in the 5K. He was third in the 15-19 age division, clocking a time of 18:19. Millsaps was part of the Buckin’ Elks state silver medal 4x800 relay in the spring.

Millsaps’ younger brother, Zane Millsaps, a rising seventh-grader at Elkin Middle, won the one-mile run in the 13-and-under age group.

Chas Deal, a former East Wilkes standout, placed ninth in the 15-19 age group in the 5K. He finished in 18:54. Deal now attends Appalachian State University.

More than 175 runners competed in this year’s Footrace.

The first high school cross country meet of the season is Aug. 25 at Fisher River Park in Dobson.

Combs and East Wilkes rising junior Carol Blankenship both have been mentioned as potential state medalists in a preseason write-up at www.ncrunners.com.

Combs is the preseason No. 4 runner in thte 2A boys division. Blankenship is picked as the favorite to win the 1A girls cross country title.

“My goal for (Combs) this summer and winter was to get him stronger to go with his speed to help him improve his 800 time,” coach Merritt said. “As he has gotten stronger he has developed into a great distance runner. I think if he keeps improving he can challenge for the 2A title. He will certainly be in the mix.

“He is very, very talented. One thing for sure, no one can outkick him at the end of a race.