A rivalry is developing between South Warren junior Luke Spurrier and Warren East senior Jacob England, and the two runners are happy to have that challenge.

Spurrier beat England, the defending 2A state cross country champion, for the second time in three weeks winning Saturday’s Purple Striders 5K at Kereiakes Park with a time of 16 minutes, 08.46 seconds.

England, who finished 13 seconds behind Spurrier at the Raider Twilight Run on Aug. 26, closed the gap this time – challenging in the stretch and finishing just 0.46 seconds behind in second.

The two runners embraced following the race, acknowledging the close finish and the mutual respect. Spurrier said they talked about seeing each other in future races and maybe even running together on off days.

“It’s really competitive,” Spurrier said. “Jacob is a really good runner and he has had success with Warren East and their team has done really well. It’s great for our whole team to have someone to race. Our top three was racing their top three and it will really help us to race our best and push us to our best.”

England said it’s a fun rivalry.

“He’s pushed me this year, and I’ve pushed him, and he’s a really nice guy,” England said. “It’s nice to have somebody to be up there with. He’s a 3A runner and I am a 2A runner, so lucky for me I don’t have to deal with him at regional and state, but the first race this year I was 42 seconds better than my first race last year. Hopefully I will continue to take off from times last year and it will help me improve. It is nice to have him here.”

England said he took a more conservative approach than the last time the two raced, while Spurrier said familiarity with the course helped him conserve enough energy to hold off a late push by England.

“We practice here every day,” Spurrier said. “This is almost our home course, even though Bowling Green hosts this meet. (South Warren coach Steve) Eaton has really been working us on this course, having us practice to race well and have that final kick. I just followed what coach has been telling me and I was able to have a good race.”

England said he is looking forward to the next time he runs against Spurrier.

“I really am super competitive and I think that is one of my biggest advantages on a cross country course,” England said. “The competitor in me really does want to race him again and try to make it even more of a race.”

The team standings were flipped, with Warren East beating South Warren for first place. The Raiders had 39 points, with South Warren finishing with 64 points.

England was one of five Warren East runners to finish in the top 14. Colton Bullington finished fifth with a time of 16:42.17. Jerrod Eleazer (17:19.26) was seventh, Garrett Elrod (17:59.09) 13th and Dalton Sledge (17:59.46) 14th.

South Warren’s Josiah Harp, fourth with a time of 16:41.71, and Carter Chavira (sixth, 17:07.98), joined Spurrier in the top 10.

On the girls side, South Warren won the team title with a trio of runners finishing in the top seven.

Eighth-grader Brooklyn Wilkins led the way for the Spartans, finishing fourth with a time of 21:02.43.

“It felt really good, especially since I am in middle school and it was my first varsity race of the season,” Wilkins said. “My goal was 22 minutes, but I ended up finishing in (21:02). I felt good during the race. My legs were good and my breathing, and I just felt really good. It makes a big difference to have teammates up there pushing me.”

Katlin Barnes finished sixth with a time of 21:16.90 for South Warren, while Haylee White was seventh with a time of 21:20.30.

Grayson County’s Hailey Stallings was the individual champion with a time of 20:11.67.

Franklin-Simpson eighth-grader Jaydee DeGraffenreid finished second with a time of 20:26.27.

DeGraffenreid said familiarity with the course helped her navigate it to her second-place finish.

“My stomach was hurting for most of the race,” DeGraffenreid said. “I think that was just heat. But then you go into the shade, it is really cool. The temperature change is really weird. The hills are terrible, but I pushed through them pretty much.”

Warren East’s Emma Steff finished fifth with a time of 21:08.74, while Barren County’s Kayla Roeder finished 10th with a time of 21:41.90.