(Note: Following is the latest part of the E-E’s Top 20 countdown of best sports stories from the 2021-22 school year.)

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No. 10: Happy trails for Lady Mustangs

Query: What area school boasted the top distance running tandem in cross country and track?

Answer: Wesleyan Christian — hands down.

Or, rather, feet down.

Mackenzie Hendrix and Maryann Alvey provided a dynamic dyad that dashed to greatness in the small school running scene.

Hendrix, a senior, surged into this season on the momentum of a 2020-21 All-State campaign and a rocket-powered reputation.

Alvey entered her sophomore season in 2022 after producing plenty of potential the previous campaign.

As the 2021-22 season unwound, the two strong-lunged warriors pushed each other with fierce determination.

At the Class 2A state girls cross country two-mile finals, both of them bounded into All-State territory — Hendrix eclipsing the finish line in seventh place (12:39.19), with Alvey right behind her in eighth (12:44.86).

Having two girls from an area school finish All-State is a rousing rarity that deserved recognition.

At the Meet of Champions 5K a week later — going against the fastest runners from all classes — Hendrix bolted to 18th (20;01.69) and Alvey, who didn’t have as much experience at the longer distance, still placed respectfully in 35th (21:08.85),

Next up, the Lady Mustang pair revved up for the spring track season.

Alvey displayed her meteoric progress at the Class A girls state track meet.

She bolted to second place (silver medal) in both the 1600m run (5:46.53) and the 3200m run (12:22.54).

Hendrix also stomped on the accelerator — third in the 1600m run (5:49.41) and fourth int he 3200m run (12:50.94).

Hendrix placed the highest of any senior in the 1600m and record the second-quickest senior time in the 3200.

Hendrix graduated from WCS with a string of running achievements, including twice making All-State in cross country.

She also finished third in both the 1600 and 3200 in the 2021 Class A girls state track meet.