Finishing Strong: CHS XC at State Competition

On November 5th, Columbus High's Varsity Cross Country team competed in the State Championship at Carrollton, Georgia. The girls' team won 3rd place and the boys' team earned 9th place.

Three CHS students finished in the top 10: Gabby Ware (9) – 3rd, Haley Heard (10) – 6th, John Stanczak (9) – 7th.

The varsity girls line up for a post-race picture. The State Championship marked the end of the Cross Country season.

From left to right: Haley Heard (10), Lauren Upshaw (10), Mya Thomas (11), Gabby Ware (9), Sara Takagi (11), Charolette Young (12), Layla Albright (11).

The varsity boys pose outside of Columbus High's Cross Country tent. For the meet, CHS competed under the 3A athletic division.

From left to right: John Stanczak (9), Mathew Lopez (9), Lawson Ragan (12), Troy Tull (10), Hasan Molvi (10), Matthew Petallar (10), and Tyson Morris (12).

Mathew Lopez (9) rounds a curve during the race. Lopez completed the race in among the top 40 runners.

Matthew Petallar (10) trails a fellow runner on a hillside. The course was a total of 3 miles long.

Lawson Ragan (12) and Hasan Molvi (10) run side-by-side during the first lap of the race. Both runners placed in the top 100 out of 187 competitors.

Lauren Upshaw (10), followed by Charolette Young (12), lead a group of runners. For the meet, varsity girls ran the course directly after varsity boys.

Gabby Ware (9) prepares to begin her second lap of the course. Ware ultimately won 3rd place in the 3A girls' race.