Often overlooked, but never out-toughed, here are the 2020 'South of the Border' honors recognizing the overall boys' "Runner of the Year' (ROY) and district runner of the year if not selected as overall ROY. This also includes below the first and second-team squads and a deep list of honorable mentions in another article Monday evening.
'South of the Border HS Boys ROY'
Avery Jaynes of Southeast Bulloch is South of the Border 'Runner of the Year'
Avery Jaynes made a statement in November 2019 as he placed 2nd at the GHSA Class 3A State meet clocking a 16:30 behind champion Andrew Jones. He followed that with a 15:59 at Georgia Meet of Champions and two weeks later placed 2nd at Foot Locker South in the 'Junior' race going 16:17.
All Jaynes did this Fall was win nine races, his is blemish was actually a highlight as he placed 12th at Alexander/Asics posting a new PR of 15:31. He easily won the region meet, and placed 3rd at State behind two division 1 signees in Justin Wachtel and Andrew Jones. He had a stellar post-season clocking a 15:27 at Georgia Meet of Champions, and set another PR at RunningLane XC Nationals going 15:07!
Southwest District 'ROY'
Andrew McGinnis of Calvary Christian is the Southwest District ROY
Not many runners out of GAPPS or GISA (Jacob McLeod being a rare nugget indeed) can compete with the 'big boys' of the GHSA. But, he's definitely an exception. Thanks to the GHSA changing the rules a few seasons ago, athletes/teams from other schools could compete in regular-season competitions excluding football, basketball, and baseball.