Norfork runner Case Southard earned a third-place finish in the junior high two-mile race at the Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival, held Saturday in Fayetteville.
Southard, a ninth grader representing the Norfork School District, completed the race in 10 minutes, 27.9 seconds. Among Arkansas competitors, Southard took second place. He trailed only Reed Brown of Carl Albert High School in Mississippi, who placed first overall, and Breken Dietz of Bentonville, who finished second.
The race featured 533 participants, drawing top junior high runners from several states.
Southard's next meet is scheduled for October 15 at the Bomber Invitational.
The Chile Pepper Cross Country Festival is a nationally recognized event held annually in Fayetteville, showcasing talent at the junior high, high school, and college levels.