Dodds repeats as 5K winner

The field for the third annual Wildcat 5K hit the road Saturday morning in Dibrell, with WCHS track team member Jared Dodds becoming the annual event?s first back-to-back winner, topping a field of nearly 30 runners on his way to a first-place finish.

Dodds, who won last year?s 5K race with a time of 19 minutes, 40 seconds, chopped over a minute of that time Saturday, completing the trek up Mike Muncey Rd. and back in 18:38.

He was followed closely by second-place finisher Michael O?hara, who turned in a time of 18:46, while Tommy Kell took third in 19:50.

A group of nearly 50 people took part in the one-mile fun run/walk, with another past winner coming away with first place. Blaine Wilcher defended his title from 2006, finishing in 6 minutes, 15 seconds, while Lauren Wilkinson was second at 7:24 and Lindsay Wilcher was third with a time of 7:41.

The annual race raises money for the Dibrell Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization, funding various projects for the school.