GISA State Cross Country Meet ReCap

(pics by Deerfield-Windsor Yearbook Staff unless noted)

Poter Hill  of Deerfield-Windsor takes the lead early in AAA Boys race

GISA AAA Boys Race

Porter Hill of Deerfield-Windsor wins the Overall AAA Boys title


Jaskaran Brar of John Milledge 'holds off' Trey Farmer of Augusta Prep for 4th overall.

It couldn't have been much closer for AAA Boys team race down in Americus Saturday morning. Region 4-AAA Augusta Prep (who has had some strong races against GHSA competition this Fall) and region 3 champ Deerfield-Windsor took it to the wire.. The Knights pulled off the win by a single point scoring 38 points to the Cavalier's 39. Porter Hill led the way for Deerfield-Windsor taking the Overall title clocking a 16:54. The Knights packed it in with their 2-4 runners with a Split of :12 In 6th place was Graham Ford (17:28), Jonathan Willis 7th (17:29) and Jon Durham 9th (17:40) 

Jack Collier of Augusta Prep turns the corner with Kolby Lord of The Heritage School in pursuit (photo by Augusta Prep)

Augusta Prep was led by Jack Collier who claimed overall runnerup honors going 17:11, Trey Farmer 5th (17:24) and frosh Ben Monnig 8th (17:38) Koby Lord of The Heritage School placed a close 3rd at 17:28 and Jaskaran Brar from John Milledge Academy took 4th in 17:23. Tift Area claimed 3rd in the team standings with 138 points, with John Milledge 8 points back in 4th.

Deerfield-Windsor Boys AAA Team Champs


Augusta Prep Boys AAA Boys Team Runnerups (photo by Augusta Prep)

AAA Boys All State Squad (photo by Augusta Prep)

GISA AAA Girls Race


AAA Girls early lead pack


Amy Riordan of Augusta Prep (rear) hones in on Emery Ryan of John Milledge (photo by Augusta Prep)

Molly and Beatty Joseph of Augusta Prep head for the finish line (photo by Augusta Prep)

Augusta Prep was a strong favorite to win the AAA team title, and the lady Cavs' repeated as State Champs, with a victory margin of 43 points. Augusta Prep had 3 runners finish in the top 10, including: frosh Amy Riordan taking 4th overall at 20:07, Sr Molly Joseph placed 6th going 20:17 and frosh Beatty Joseph 7th at 20:20  

Karmen LeRoy of Trinity Christian celebrates her win in the AAA Girls race

There was a good battle going on up front in AAA between a trio of runners, with Karmen LeRoy from Trinity Christian Dublin, winning the Individual title posting a 19:25.  Charlotte Augenstein of Deerfield-Windsor led the lady Knights to a  runnerup team finish placing 2nd in 19:34. Although, it took a 6th runner tiebreak, for Deerfield-Windsor to secure the 2nd place hardware.  Sovi Wellons of The Heritage School was 3rd overall at 19:40.  Frederica Academy was 3rd in the team standings and Valwood, led by Brenna Clark's 9th place effort took 4th teamwise. 

Charlotte Augenstein of Deerfield-Windsor was Overall runnerup


Sovi Wellons of The Heritage School took 3rd place


Augusta Prep AAA Girls Team Champs


Deerfield-Windsor Girls AAA Team Runnerups


AAA Girls All-State Squad

GISA AA Boys
Asad Bahir of Fugees and Will Auslander of Monsignor Donovan lead early in AA Boys race.


Asad Bashir flies thru the finish line with the fastest time of the day!

The AA race may not have have been as fast teamwise as AAA, but the 2 fastest performances of the meet were produced from it.. Asad Bashir of Fugees Academy out of Clarkston (bet GHSA Clarkston wishes they had him) had the Best Boys Performance of the meet racing to the title going 16:35 leading Fugees to a 3rd place team finish. Larry Orsini of The Cottage School had a strong outing seizing overall runnerup honors with a swift 16:50 leading the Cougars' to the AA team title with 49 points. Nicholas Daugherty ws also key with a 9th place finish of 18:38. 

Larry Orsini of The Cottage School led his squad to the AA Boys Team title


Will Auslander of Monsignor Donovan placed 3rd Overall. 

Monsignor Donovan's program has improved under the guidance of 'Coach Scott', as the Rams' (who may have the toughest XC course in GA) raced to 2nd as a team. Donovan was paced by the top 4 finishes of Will Auslander at 3rd overall going 17:10 and Nevan Norrell's 4th place effort in 17:57. Sam Potter of St. George's Episcopal rounded out the top 5 individuals taking 5th at 17:58 leading the Dragons' to 4th as a team.

The Cottage School Boys are the GISA AA Team Champs (photo by Augusta Prep)

Monsignor Donovan Boys are the GISA Boys AA Team Runnerups (photo by Augusta Prep)

GISA AA Girls


Early AA Girls lead pack


Eman Haji Essa led Fugees Academy to the AA Girls team title

It was 3 way battle for the AA Girls team title, with Fugees Academy coming out on top by just 2 points over Brentwood Academy (Sandersville) Sr Eman Haji Essa, led the way for Fugees with her 4th place overall finish of 22:28 and Joseline Bucumi placed 6th at 22:36  Brentwood was led by 8th grader (GISA allows) Lauren Hood, who was 3rd overall at 22:00  

Anna Porlett of Oak Mountain Academy is the GISA 2018 AA Girls Individual Champ

Anna Porlett from Oak Mountain Academy won the Individual title with a nice time of 20:31 leading the lady Warriors to a 3rd place team finish. Omeka Bhatia from Monsignor Donovan had an overall runnerup finish of 20:45 leading the lady Rams' to 4th in the team standings. Allie Brown from nearby Crisp Academy rounded out the top 5 individuals with a time of 22:35. 

8th grader Lauren Hood of Brentwood was 3rd overall

Omeka Bhatia of Monsignor Donovan was AA Girls Individual runnerup