Another State meet, another Westminster title. The Lady Cats' behind legendary Coach Amy Eubanks won their 16th XC state championship this century, and their top 4 runners are 3 sophs and a frosh, which isn't good news for AAA. A valiant Pace Lady Knights' squad was only 16 points behind ascending the Team Podium 2nd. Sir Brienne of Tarth (Game of Thrones) would be proud..
(pics below by Dan McCauley)
Westminster off to a fast start
Champ Mira Srinvasa
Race Breakdown:
The Lady Cats' were expected to be heavy favorites after easily winning 5-AAA. At the gun, The Westminster and Jefferson HS girls got off the line very fast (a bit too fast for the Dragons) Mira Srinvasa sped away from the field early and split the Mile Marker in 5:53, with Palmer Walstad passing at 6:02 and Katherine Law of Jefferson in tow at this point. Srinvasa began to extend her lead over Walstad, with Law back in 3rd. Beginning the 2nd loop, Mira now had 100m lead over frosh team mate Walstad, as Caylee Wagner of North Hall moved up to 3rd with Law now in 4th. Westminster was in control of the team race at Mile 2 with Pace trying to keep in contact. Srinvasa began to lose some of the large gap she had created, but was so far in front it mattered not, as she won her 1st individual GHSA State title posting a 19:49.
Runnerup Palmer Walstad
Palmer Walstad (freshman) had a great first State meet race taking runnerup honors for Westminster clocking a 20:08 with team mate Janie Cooper placing 5th going 20:26. Caylee Wagner from North Hall represented northeast GA Girls XC very well, finishing 3rd overall moving up during the race posting a 20:21. Pace Academy was team runnerup led by Laura Arenth's 4th place effort of 20:26. Lovett was 3rd in the team standings paced by frosh Ellie Wildman (7th) as she clicked off a time of 20:35 Jefferson was the best public school in 3A making the team podium with Katherine Law placing 11th.
Rounding out the All-State squad were: Payton Payne of Pace 6th (20:34), Kaylee Bandy of Coahulla Creek 8th (20:37), Sydney Lamberson of Lovett 9th (20:38) and freshman Adison Myers of Cherokee Bluff 10th (20:39)
Caylee Wagner of North Hall
Laura Arenth & Janie Cooper (rear)
Ellie Wildman of Lovett (1606), Sydney Lamberson (1605) and Kaylee Bandy (r)
Mira and Palmer went 1,2 (westminster pic)
Race Video