On September 9th, Columbus High’s cross country team raced at Kinnett Stadium and earned first place with superior scores. Both the boys and girls defeated Northside and other local schools such as Jordan and Hardaway.
These results help pave the way for the team’s goal to reach state this year.
During the race at Kinnett, forty-nine girls and seventy-nine boys competed. In both of these races, Columbus High runners earned the first through fifth placements.
The girl runners begin their race. Five other schools competed against the CHS girls at this meet.
The top five girl racers, in numerical placement order, were Gabby Ware (9), Alyna Gilbert (10), Haley Heard (10), Layla Albright (11), and Mya Thomas (11).
The boy runners begin the race. The first place winner, John Stanczak, finished with a time of 18 minutes and 21 seconds.
For the boys’ team, the top five were John Stanczak (9), Mathew Lopez (9), Tyson Morris (12), Aidan Campbell (10), and Lawson Ragan (12).
The race itself was a three-mile course around Kinnett Stadium during the heat of the afternoon.
“The course was challenging, but the team persevered,” Troy Tull (10) stated.
From left to right: Sam Wampler (11) and Schley Smallman (10) run the course. This was the first race of the season for the team.
The cross country team’s next meet will be September 10th in Carrollton, GA where they are expected to run against schools from across the state.
If the Columbus High cross country team can continue to practice and perform well, success at the state level is imminent.