2020 South of the Border: Freshmen Girls Runners of the Year


Johna Bowen from Bleckley County HS

The 2020 South of the Border honors now investigates who the top freshmen girls from the 2020 season are. It was a close race for the top spot, but Johna Bowen from Bleckley County came out on top due to a faster performance at the GHSA state meet and helping lead the Royals to a third-place team finish. Bowen was a key part of Bleckley middle school's 2019 Small School XC title placing 7th and has shown great improvement on the high school level peaking at the perfect time at the state meet clocking a 20:47 placing 5th overall. She is coached by the legendary coach Shelly Cranford. In the next few years, the outlook is bright for the Royals with Bowen, sophomore Crosby, and 8th grader Ella Gibbs (Georgia MS ROY) joining the high school squad. 

South of the Border Girls All-Freshmen Team

Johna Bowen  Bleckley County (ROY)
Mackenzie Davis  Houston County
Elizabeth Cowley  Brookstone
Emma Burnett  Valwood
Ella Burnett  Valwood
Aofie Flynn  Veterans HS
Sophie Scuggs  Pierce County
Sara Takagi  Columbus HS
Alden Groover  St. Vincent's 
Mackenzie Collins  Valwood
Layla Albright  Columbus HS