LEXINGTON —  Warren East junior Jacob England’s gamble paid off in a big way, with England capturing the individual title at the boys’ Class 2A state cross country meet on Saturday at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

England originally planned to wait until just after the first mile to make his move, but quickly decided to press the pace early and build a lead. The decision paid off as England held off Shelby County’s Matthew Paverd in the stretch to win with a time of 16 minutes, 05.08 seconds.

England is the first Warren East boys’ runner to win an individual state title since Jimmy Herald won back-to-back titles in 1985-86 and only the second individual boys’ state champion in school history.

“That was just an unbelievable feeling crossing that line,” England said. “It was definitely one of the best feelings of my life. When I crossed that line … I could hear my team spurring it on. To be able to finish it off is just the best.”

Paverd, who passed England briefly at the halfway point of the 5K race, finished with a time of 16:07.39.

“It was hard not to get down on yourself when you get passed like that after having such a strong first mile, but luckily I was able to capitalize on some of the downhills and gain back my lead on him,” England said. 

Warren East sophomore Colton Bullington pressed the pace early before finishing fifth with a time of 16:29.97, helping the Raiders finish fourth as a team with 107 points.

“I’m pretty happy,” Bullington said. “My time wasn’t really what I wanted, but it’s all about the team and stuff. I never thought I’d be this good. I love it.”

Lexington Catholic was the boys’ team winner with a score of 61 points.

In girls’ 2A, Warren East freshman Emma Steff finished third with a time of 19:13.66. Steff, who won the Class 2A, Region 2 title last week, entered hoping to finish in the top two, but said she was happy with her result.

“I didn’t get my goal, but I was very close,” Steff said. “I am still really happy with it. It was definitely a very good season. I finished very well and that’s definitely been great. I’m really excited for next season because I think I can definitely continue to reach my goals.”

In girls’ Class 3A, Bowling Green senior Madisyn Peeples finished in sixth place with a time of 18:58.43.

Peeples was looking to build off a fourth-place finish last year, but said she was still satisfied with the last race of her prep career.

“The plan was to go out a little conservative,” Peeples said. “I didn’t go out as conservative as I would have liked and I think that hurt me towards the end of the race. Overall I am pleased … and I am really happy to be in the top 10.

“I didn’t do as well as I wanted to, but I tried my hardest and I am happy with that. I am thankful that I had this last state opportunity and that I had my team there with me.”

Peeples’ teammate Sam Sutton finished 27th with a time of 20:10.75, while South Warren’s Caroline Haas finished 28th in the final race of her career with a time of 20:11.71. South Warren’s Haylee White was 30th with a time of 20:16.08.

Alena Sapienza-Wright from DuPont Manual was the individual champion with a time of 18:08.87.

Manual also won the team title with 113, edging runner-up Daviess County by 12 points.

South Warren finished ninth, while Bowling Green was 10th.

In boys’ 3A, Dupont Manual’s Yared Nuguse was the individual winner with a time of 15:41.13, while St. Xavier was the team winner.

South Warren, led by Carter Chavira’s 25th-place finish, finished 20th in the team standings.

In Class A, Keeton Thornsberry from Louisville Holy Cross was the boys’ individual champion, with Lexington Christian the boys’ team champion. Kailee Perry from Morgan County was the girls’ individual champion, with St. Henry the girls’ team champion.

— Follow sports reporter Micheal Compton on Twitter @mcompton428 or visit bgdailynews.com.