The Marietta boys squad pre-race. Miller is in 'the Zone'
(all photos below by Marc Logan)
After a beautiful day on Friday, the weather began to turn just before the A Private boys race as a light drizzle began to slowly increase to a steady rain during the 7A races and maintain its intensity until the 2A girl's race was well underway. 7A boys were almost a toss-up coming into the race with Denmark ranked #1, Marietta 2nd, Harrison 3rd (who beat Marietta at region), and 'darkhorse' Norcross 4th.
7A Boys start
One thing Marietta's program stressed during the COVID-19 pandemic situations that affected many ATL schools, was simply to stay laser-focused on the task ahead of them and everything would work out. The Blue Devils went to work quickly with the firing of the start pistol, especially Miller, as he quickly built a lead of nearly 75 meters before ascending the first horseshoe hill and though he occasionally checked his rearview mirror, it wasn't necessary, lol. Kamari crossed the mats at 15:29, setting a new GHSA state meet record time, and gave Marietta a very low stick. James May (JR) crossed next in 5th place at 16:33, followed by Jared Fortenberry finishing 18th at 17:00 providing a cushion no other team could come back from as the Blue Devils tasted victory soon after.
Miller had a 70 meter lead on top of the horseshoe hill.
Coach Jack Coleman commented after the meet about his boy's squad, "Kamari had a great run that sometimes seems easy, but we all know isn't. The rest of the guys backed him up with their best team effort overall of the season. James May really delivered in a big way placing 5th."
Sully Shelton led Harrison to a 2nd place team finish after his runner-up finish at 16:07.
Hayden Marshall (with the traditional Milton state meet hairdo) placed 3rd overall going 16:16.
Will Bray from Brookwood had a huge race claiming 4th overall in 16:20.
James May of Marietta was a huge factor in the Blue Devils' team victory placing 5th overall.
Ethan Ashley led the Great Danes all season and took 6th overall posting a time of 16:36.
Norcross fought their way into a team Podium spot placing 3rd.
