Broncos Break the 5A Competition
In a performance for the ages, Brookwood heated up the cold turf in Carrollton and left no doubts as to why they are ranked #1 in the Southeast placing 4 runners in the top 7 team scorers and smashing Carrollton course average team time averages with a 15:55 and 32 points! Coach Dehnke's stable of elite runners came out of the chute hard and bucking running in tight tandems as Senior Tyler Anyan led the way with a runnerup Individual performance in 15:33 followed by Tommy George in 4th with a 15:46, Sean Brennan in 6th with 15:53 and Carter Hewitt in 8th with a 15:55. Former legendary Bronco coach Jerry Arnold commented that this team was indeed special and he was thrilled at their achievement today. Post race, Anyan was being interviewed by the GHSA and allowed that their focus would now shift to Nike XC Regionals being held in Cary, NC on 11/26. Parkview showed they are back scoring 100 points to clinch the runnerup podium spot. The Panthers placed 2 runners in the top 10 including Steven Spevacek in 5th with a15:52 and Alec Klassen taking 8th in 15:58. Collins Hill placed 3 runners in the top 19 to secure the 3rd place Cup with 118 points. Leading the Eagles' effort was Alex Kellam in 13th with a 16:05. So, the defending champs Peachtree Ridge had been suggested to be in a "Rebuilding Year?" So much for that label as they came up big roaring to a 4th and final spot on the Podium scoring 136 points led by Matt Weickert's 11th place finish in 16:01.
Kirubel Erassa in his trademark fashion went out very fast and assumed the lead quickly establishing at times separation of150 meters. Erassa hit the mile 1 marker at 4:37 and then mile 2 at 9:37 and held off any serious challengers as he joyfully crossed the finish line in a swift 15:09 falling just short of Girma's blazing performance in 2007. Alec Clifford of North Cobb had a gutsy performance and held off George from Brookwood late to capture 3rd place in 15:46.03. Also cracking the sub 16 mark was Alex Merrall of Etowah in 7th place in 15:53. Mike McClay of Dacula just missed placing 10th in 16:00.87. Overall, 56 Boys eclipsed the sub 17 mark also.
North Gwinnett's Girls End Collins Hill's Streak
A tight pack wins State championships and Collins Hill has been a prime example of that formula tha past 6 years. In 2009, North Gwinnett has ran together well in every race and their talent, along with superior depth was the key in winning the Team title. The Lady Bulldogs placed 4 runners in the top 16 team scorers enroute to scoring 63 points for a 28 point margin of victory. Rose Howell led the pack on this day placing 6th overall clocking an 18:59 followed by teamates Laura Serres placing 11th in 19:10, Jordan Humphrey finishing 14th in 19:18 and Chelsea Peele closing out the top 20 in 19:25. Coach Karen added that this year's group was blessed with a great group of hard-working girls and terrific parent support. This group of juniors were 3rd two years ago, 2nd last year, and did it this year. Collins Hill did not go down without a fight as they were sitting pretty after their top runners, including Nicky Akande and Vicky Winslow finished 1,4 but it was just North Gwinnett's day. The Lady Broncs of Brookwood did not place any scorers in the top 15 but ran well enough as a pack to secure the 3rd spot on the Podium scoring 133 points. Caroline Kissell paced Brookwood placing 21st overall in 19:28. Walton's Lady Raiders stepped it up and were the lone Cobb County program in the top 4 of 5A scoring 143 points and were led by the 12th place overall effort of Lena Hamvas in 19:18.
Nicky Akande picked up right where former teamate Amanda Winslow left off and has brilliantly ran undefeated and unchalleged inside Georgia's borders during the 2009 XC season. In typical fashion she powered away after the 2 mile mark leaving the competition to watch her back get smaller with every long stride she took Saturday, capturing her first Individual title in 17:52. Chattahoochee's Sydney Marshall gave a valiant chase through most of the race and turned in a great runnerup finish in 18:34. Other runners having top 10 individual performances were Dylan Hassett of Alpharetta in 3rd with 18:54, Winslow in 18:55, Emily McNutt of Etowah in 5th with 18:56, Heather Morris of Peachtree Ridge in 7th with 19:03, down "South of the Border" of Houston County, Megan Breitbach in 19:05.19, Molly Schenck of Pope in 19:05.47 and North Forsyth's Anna Sinclair in 19:06.