Georgia State Meet

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

On a cold November morning, Graham Blanks solidified himself as one of the greatest runners in Georgia prep history. Saturday at the Georgia High School State Cross Country Championships at Carrollton High, the senior from Athens Academy put the pressure on from the beginning and didn't let up. Blanks, who is committed to Harvard, won his second straight 1A Private title in 15 minutes, 33.32 seconds, breaking the 3.1 mile course record of 15:51.3. 

The boys 1A Private title went to Wesleyan for the second year in a row.

The girls 1A Private crown as claimed by Holy Innocents Episcopal for the first time with 66 points, while Landmark Christian's Erin Fegans took top honors, winning the race in 19:11.83.     

Junior Brandon Martin led Commerce to its first 1A Public boys title, as he won in 17:02.85. Commerce placed three runners in the top 5 and four in the top 15.

In the girls 1A Public, Gordon Lee senior Gracie O'Neal won in 20:14.99, more than a minute faster than second place. The team championship went to Academy for Classical Education with 70 points.

It was a battle to the finish for Banks County senior Griffin Stephens and senior Garrett Rogers of Bleckley County in the 2A race. Stephens narrowly beat Rogers, 16:44.15-16:44.21, to win top individual honors. Oglethorpe County won its first team crown with 95 points.

The girls 2A title was won by Bleckley County with 49 points for the fourth straight year. Senior Zoe Sanchez of Union County won the rae in 20:06.82.  

The 3A boys team title was a tight race, as Westminster scored 74 points to win the crown over Pace Academy (76). Andrew Jones of North Hall won the race in 16:18.62.

The Westminster girls made it a sweep, placing three in the top 5 to score 39 points to the team title. Sophomore  Mira Srinivasa led the way for the Wildcats, winning in 19:49.17.

In 7A, the Walton boys took home their first state title since 1986, scoring 98 points. Archer senior Myles Collins won the race in 15:46.77, nearly 20 seconds faster than the runner-up.

The girls 7A crown went to Hillgrove, the first for the program.  Individually, South Forsyth senior Madelynne Cadeau won in 18:46.37.

Friday: Carrollton High School

In 6A action, the Harrison boys claimed the program's first-ever state title, as junior Sully Shelton led the team, winning the race in 16:11.41.

In the 6A girls race, Cambridge made it a three-peat, scoring 105 points to win the title. Richmond Hill senior Kayla Gholar won the race in 18:27.69.

The Decatur boys made history in 5A, placing four in the top 15 to score 76 points for their first state title. Loganville senior Athanasius Tesfaye won the individual title in 16:19.27.

The girls 5A title was won by McIntosh as all five runners finished in the top 15 to score 49 points. Senior Mckenna Trapheagen of Woodland (Cartersville) took first in 18:27.67.

The 4A team titles went to St. Pius. The boys tallied 49 points to easily defend their title and make it an 11th state championship for the program. Junior Justin Wachtel of Mary Persons won the individual title in 16:05.5. The St. Pius girls placed four in the top 12 to edge out Blessed Trinity, 46-50. Blessed Trinity's Hannah Miniutti won the race in 18:51.49.  

Team Champions

Class 7A: Walton boys 98 points; Hillgrove girls 77 points

Class 6A: Harrison boys 52 points; Cambridge girls 105 points

Class 5A: Decatur boys 76 points; McIntosh girls 49 points

Class 4A: St. Pius boys 49 points; St. Pius girls 46 points

Class 3A: Westminster boys 74 points; Westminster girls 39 points

Class 2A: Oglethorpe County boys 95 points; Bleckley County 49 points

Class 1A Public: Commerce boys 38 points; Academy for Classical Education 70 points

Class 1A Private: Wesleyan boys 69 points; Holy Innocents Episcopal 66 points