Westminster duo works their way up a hill at Lamar Murphy Park.
(all photos by Alex Brust)
The Jefferson Invitational was a soggy, sloshy affair Saturday morning as the outer bands of Hurricane Delta made its way into North Georgia overnight. The Varsity boys had to endure a downpour and if you are a fan, hope you brought an umbrella or your best rain gear.
Matthew Fernando won the overall title going 16:03
Well, if anyone was wondering when the Cats' of Westminster were going to show up this season your wait is over. After a strong outing at Alexander/Asics, they punctuated their dominance again of class 3A, whipping 7A Archer and laying down a team average of 16:43. Matthew Fernando has been their top runner this Fall and he took the individual win Saturday going 16:03. Westminster's top five had a 1-5 split of 59 seconds. Gainesville HS did not have a top 10 finisher but won a sixth runner tiebreaker over Archer who swept the 2-4 spots led by Sebasthian Rodriguez's runner-up effort of 16:06. John Jessup led the Elephants of Gainesville placing 13th (17:00)
Sebasthian Rodriguez of Archer claimed runner-up at 16:06
Skylar Taylor and Miles Ferguson of Archer took 3rd and 4th place respectively.
Katherine Law of Jefferson grabs the lead early.
The Lady Dragons displayed why they are ranked #2 in Class 4A, besting 7A squads Johns Creek, Gainesville and Archer. Katherine Lawis the fastest girl in 4A, and she smoked the field clocking an 18:34. Team-mate Caitlin Schroeder had a strong 3rd place run of 19:35. Bella Brick of Flowery Branch crossed the mats second at 19:40. Second place team Johns Creek had two runners in the top five including Agam Horowitz 4th (19:41) and Allison Swift 5th (19:50)
Law dominated the race taking the win in 18:34.
Bella Brick of Flowery Branch was 2nd overall posting a 19:40.
Caitlin Schroeder of Jefferson raced to 3rd place at 19:35.
A trio of MS boys chases leader Colby Polhemus of CW Davis.
Middle schoolers had one last tuneup before heading down south to Cochran for the Georgia Middle School State Cross Country Championships. Corbin Squires of Dacula MS established himself as a contender to win the Large School boys race clocking an 11:16. Great Strides will be one of the favorites to win the new 'Club Team' championship race led by Ben Winn who placed third at Jefferson.
Corbin Squires of Dacula MS pulled away late taking the win at 11:16.
Colby Polhemus of CW Davis hangs on grabbing 2nd overall in 11:24.
Ben Winn of Great Strides placed 3rd finishing at 11:27.
Middle school girls are led by the Hotard sisters from Team Fusion.
Great Strides defeated Team Fusion at Jefferson, but they should be colliding again at MS State. Audrey Hotard of Team Fusion was the overall champ going 12:16, with sister Abigail 3rd place at 12:30. Amelia Ogden led Great Strides to the team win placing second at 12:28.
Audrey Hotard took the checkered flag posting a 12:16.
Amelia Ogden of Great Strides moved up taking the runner-up spot clocking a 12:28.
Abigail Hotard was a few strides back claiming 3rd place at 12:30.