GEORGIA STATE MEET

Marist Sweeps Up In Class 6A; Harrison Boys, Marietta Girls Win 7A Crowns

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Saturday at the Georgia High School Association Cross Country Championships, Marist proved once again why it is one of the most dominant and historic programs in state history.

In 6A competition, the boys and girls swept state titles for the program’s combined 37th overall championship. The boys were led by junior Tommy Latham, No. 18 in the latest DyeStat rankings. Latham covered the 5,000-meter course in Carrollton in a time of 15 minutes 57.21 seconds to defend his title from a year ago. Marist had three runners in the top 10 to score 59 points and claim their first title since 2017, and 13th overall.

The Marist girls had five runners in the top 25 as Ruby Little finished runner-up in 18:08.45 to lead the War Eagles to a dominating 15th title in the last 16 years. The overall 6A winner was Katelynn Dollar of Creekview in a time of 17:49.93. 

In 7A action, the boys individual race was the closest of the day, as Walton’s Joseph Minecci won in an impressive time of 15:43.92. Lambert’s Jackson Hogsed was second in 15:45.60. A year ago, Minecci ran 17:08.3 to finish 10th. The Harrison boys claimed the program’s second state title, scoring 122 points. Defending champion Marietta was third. 

The Marietta girls easily defended their 7A crown as Mary Nesmith won the individual title in 18:15.26. Marietta finished with five in the top 15.

Chris Connolly’s runner-up finish led Chattahoochee to a 5A team title. Chattahoochee placed three in the top 19 to edge out Jefferson 92-99. Maynard’s Jacob Pullen was able to finish under 16 minutes (15:58.88) to win the individual title. 

On the girls side, Decatur defended its crown  with 54 points, placing six runners in the top 25. Sanam Rangaraj of Cambridge won the race in 18:36.13. 

The 4A titles didn’t go far on Saturday. Joseph Jacquot led Westminster to the program’s seventh consecutive title, as he won the race in a blazing time of 15:30.89. Westminster claimed three of the top four spots in the race. 

The Pace Academy girls went 1-2-3, guided by Zahara Berna’s first-place finish in 18:53.14. Pace Academy scored 28 points, winning the program’s fourth straight state championship. 

Cooper Timberman's first-place finish led Oconee County to a 3A title with 40 points. The team had four runners in the top 10.

On the girls side, Wesleyan won its fourth straight state championship as Weezie Moore won the race in 20:06.52. Wesleyan had all six runners finish in the top 15.

History was made in the 2A boys race as Providence Christian tallied 70 points to win the program’s first state title. Zechariah Prater of Fannin County won the individual title in 16:23.52, 20 seconds faster than the next competitor. 

Maya Davis led Athens Academy to its fourth state title in program history, the first since 2002. Davis dominated the race, clocking 19:15.44, 45 seconds faster than the runner-up. 

In 1A Division 2, Averi Lowen of Bowdon won the girls race in 20:10.03, while Julian Council of Georgia Military College Prep was the top runner in the boys race, clocking 17:15.03. Atlanta Classical Academy swept the team titles. 

In 1A Division 1 action, Bleckley County swept the individual titles as Caleb Darsey won the boys race in 16:16.48 and Ella Gibbs defended her title, winning in 18:48.25 and led her team to championship. 

TEAM CHAMPIONS

7A: Harrison boys 122 points; Marietta girls 32 points - RESULTS

6A: Marist boys 59 points; Marist girls 49 points - RESULTS

5A: Chattahoochee boys 92 points; Decatur girls 54 points - RESULTS

4A: Westminster boys 43 points; Pace Academy girls 28 points - RESULTS

3A: Oconee County boys 40 points; Wesleyan girls 34 points - RESULTS

2A: Providence Christian boys 70 points; Athens Academy girls 58 points - RESULTS

1A Division 2: Atlanta Classical Academy boys 80 points; Atlanta Classical Academy girls 67 points - RESULTS

1A Division 1: Whitfield Academy boys 52 points; Bleckley County girls 45 points - RESULTS