Eric Gillis.

Eric Gillis and Zachary Marchinko

By Mike London

Salisbury Post

CHINA GROVE — Records fell and plaques and medals piled up as Carson cross country standout Eric Gillis boldly went where no Rowan County runner had gone before.

Gillis, the Rowan County Runner of the Year, broke a passel of records, most of them marks previously held by his own coach — Zachary Marchinko. Gillis ran the quickest 5K ever recorded by a Rowan runner (15:14) as well as the fastest time ever recorded in the county meet (15:40).

“The senior season Eric had solidifies him as one the best high school distance runners in Rowan County history,” Marchinko said. “He’s one of the most disciplined athletes I’ve ever been around, as a runner or as a coach.”

Gillis obviously has some talent for running, bu

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