Sophie Boice. Simone Rojas and Makena Gates set the pace.
The 6A girls race ended Day 1 of the GHSA cross country championships. It was by far the fastest race from top to bottom on the girl's side. The race finished about how it started above.
Makena Gates of Creekview
A pack of six separated early from the field that included Gates, Boice, Rojas, and Elle Mezzio from Riverwood. Cutting across the horseshoe, Mezzio and Gates took the lead as they split mile one at 5:39. It was a dead heat beginning loop 2 with Rojas now a strong third 10 meters back. Gates began to open it up before the mile two marker splitting an 11:50 with Mezzio at 12:04. Gates stretched her lead to 100m at the top of the horseshoe hill before heading to the backside of the course. Mekena continued to surge posting the best time of the day at 18:43 winning her third GHSA state title.
Sophie Boice of Pope led Pope to the 6A team title.
Simone Rojas from Evans HS moved up to 2nd in the final mile and took runner-up honors going 18:43.
Sophie Boice of Pope led Pope to the 6A team title.
The Lady Hounds of Pope HS were not to be denied this season, as easily won the team championship with a team average time of 20:55 and a victory margin of 60 points over runner-up Allatoona. Boice led the pack finishing 3rd overall clocking a 19:37, with Lorel Golden fourth place in 20:10.
Ciara Miles of River Ridge (5th-20:12) and Pope's Lorel Golden (4th) race to the mats.
Marianna Bechtold of Allatoona
Anna Filipek of Cambridge led the Bears to a third-place team finish.
Ciara Miles of River Ridge (5th-20:12) and Pope's Lorel Golden (4th) race to the mats.
Marianna Bechtold of Allatoona
It was a tussle for the next two team podium spots between 3-time defending champ Cambridge and Allatoona. The Lady Buc's came out on top by 10 points led by Marianna Bechtold who placed 18th.
Anna Filipek of Cambridge led the Bears to a third-place team finish.