RUSTON'S JOSHUA DAULTON CHASES AIRLINE JAYDEN WILLIAMS AT THE RUSTON XC INVIATIONAL
RUSTON HIGH INVITATIONAL RESULTS
RUSTON HIGH INVITATIONAL PHOTO ALBUM
The term "home meet" took on a whole different meaning on Saturday as Ruston's Joshua Daulton ran at the Ruston High Invitational at The Gospel in Ruston. It's a piece of property owned by his grandparents, where he attends church, and works church camp.
The course is also where he ran in his first race as a third grader--ten years ago. He ran a 7:36 for a mile. His 15:32 is a far cry from that first race. Daulton finished third and led his Bearcats to victory.
"This is actually a really special race for me," Daulton said. "It's a home meet, but it's a home meet to me. My motto going into this week is 'we don't lose at home.' I know this place better than anyone because I practically live out here. I used that to my advantage, and I was able to come out with a third place."
But more important to him than his placement and his time, is his teammates.
"Coach Cochran told me two years ago that I was going to be team captain going into my junior and senior year," Daulton said. "It was something I didn't know if I was going to be able to do a good job at...I don't care what my time is as long as the team does well and I can be there to lift up my team. So to come out here and win our last three consecutive meets, it's really special to me."
Ruston head coach Dustin Cochran has been blessed with strong leadership in the Ruston program. He said Daulton is up there with the best.
"I've had some great kids come through here, he is one of the best," Cochran said.
Cochran said that Daulton has been training at a high level for some time, but it finally learning how to race it.
LONG RED LINE REUNION
The Ruston Cross Country program had their Long Red Line Reunion on Saturday. Daulton drew inspiration from having some old Ruston Bearcats on the course to cheer him on.
"I'm a big history guy," Daulton said "I lean into it and gain inspiration from it. The long red line had their reunion at Ruston High today. It feels like a special thing to have our meet on this weekend. For them to come out and watch us as we add to some of that history and build bricks. We want people to look back at that Ruston 2025 team and say that was something special."
GIRLS CONTINUE TO DOMINATE
Led by sophomore Eden Dawsey (18:06) and Hallie Hebert (18:46) led the Ruston girls won their second meet in three weeks.
"Eden and Hallie have established themselves as being good. When they're on, they beat a lot of people. Maddy Parkman (19:13), Madison Morris (19:32), Addison Brister (19:45), and Mary Hammond (20:30)--they are trying to close that gap every day. Maddy really ran well today. She got out and ran hard and dealt with that 'I'm in pain'. These girls want to win. They're on the way. I told you at Parkway, they are going to end up being good. They just have to learn to race and they are starting to get there."
THAT'S A FACT JACK
West Ouachita's Jack Kelley continued to impress as he cruised to a win in the boys division with a personal record 15:09.
AIRLINE'S JAYDEN WILLIAMS (15:15) ON RUNNER UP FINISH
