4A Boys start
Luke Gaddis of Chestatee
Chestatee's boys have been on the cusp of finding out how good they could be this season and Friday the War Eagles hit on all cylinders impressively defeating Marist by 30 points. While their top runner Luke Gaddis was engaged in a duel for the overall title, each (2-5)War Eagle bested their counterpart from Marist leading to the victory. Gaddis led the way as Chestatee went 2, 3, 4 clocking a 16:34 for runner-up honors.
Gavin Grater and Jonathan Torres Cruz of Chestatee.
Gavin Grater placed 3rd at 16:58, Jonathan Torres Cruz was 4th in 17:01 with Garrett Grater 6th going 17:11. One would have to consider this the team upset of the day.
Davis Potts of North Oconee sprints to the finish line.
North Oconee's Davis Potts got some payback for a couple of meets that Gaddis bested him at including region roaring down the finishing hill for the win going 16:15. It was a full-on duel throughout the entire race as they both split mile 1 at 4:48 and mile 2 at 10:15. Gaddis tried to break away coming across the horseshoe, but Potts answered and passed him, ultimately winning the race by over 100 meters.
Diego Palmisano and Jaylen Mallett of Marist.
Marist was a strong team runner-up vastly improving from 2019's 7th place performance. Running in tandem much of the race, Diego Palmisano led the War Eagles' efforts placing 7th overall in 17:15 with teammate Jaylen Mallett eighth place at 17:21.
Seth White from Pickens County
Pickens County had a great race as the Dragons from Jasper were on fire taking third as a team sporting a team average of 18:18. Senior, Seth White cracked the top 5 clocking a 17:01. Jefferson seized the final team podium spot as Matthew Schroeder took 9th overall posting a 17:23. Region 8's Flowery Branch and North Oconee were 5th and 6th respectively proving that 8-AAAA was the strongest all season in Class 4A.