By Eric Lusk
Sports Editor
elusk@elkintribune.com

CLEMMONS — Aaron Combs considers himself a natural 800 meters runner but decided to give cross country his full attention this summer and fall.

He was rewarded with a trip onto the award’s podium following the 2A boys state championship race at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons on Saturday. His 10th place time was 17:25.56. The top 10 finishers are all-state.

Combs edged the 11th-place runner, Levi Rolles of East Lincoln, by 0.43 of a second. Less than five seconds separated seventh through 14th places.

“I came out really fast, actually faster than I’ve ever come out before,” Combs said. “About halfway through I was hurting a little bit but I was pretty happy with where I finished.”

Wilkes Central’s Chase Miller won the 2A race with a time of 16:35.93. Miller was the only runner to beat Combs in the conference championship race a few weeks ago.

“Aaron has had a great season,” Rams coach Kristi Gaddis said, noting the junior’s fourth-place finish in the regional. “Determination and dedication has brought him to where he is now....a sub-17:00 runner.”