2020 GHSA XC State: Wachtel & Westminster Boys Dominate 3A


Andrew Jones, Avery Jaynes and Justin Wachtel enjoy a stroll across the 'horseshoe'


Andrew Jones of North Hall

 It came as no surprise that future college teammates Justin Wachtel of Mary Persons and Andrew Jones would be duking it out for the 3A individual title. This was the ultimate 'rubber match' between these friends as Jones beat Wachtel at Asics by 03, then Wachtel won by over 100 meters at Coach Wood. Wachtel wasted no time, taking the lead early splitting 4:45 at the mile marker with Jones in 2nd place splitting a 4:55. Jones and Avery Jaynes of SE Bulloch closed the gap, but it wasn't long-lived as Wachtel opened up a huge lead after mile 2 and won by 120m clocking the fastest time of the day going 15:51. Jones crossed 2nd at 16:11, while Jaynes held off Matthew Fernando of Westminster posting a 16:26 to Matt's 16:27. 


Westminster's boys added yet another state championship 'Cup' to their crowded trophy case, scoring 54 points. Dawson County rose up and passed an Oconee County squad that was missing their #3 runner. It's been a trying October for the Warriors program. Not to go off in a wild direction, but my 'head timer' tested positive for COVID-19 this past week. The virus is out there my friends, and it's not going away anytime soon.  

Cherokee Bluff rounded out the top 4 teams making the  'Podium'. But, hold the phone on that remark, as the GHSA decided to NOT have the usual Team recognition 'ceremony' at the Baseball field across the street, as well as handing out out the top 10 individual medals in the finish chute. This is no way a negative reflection on 'meet management' at Carrollton, they do a great job and were following protocol. Word is, many parents with top athletes were not happy, to say the least, with this change. 

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