Leah Nyce helped lead savannah Arts Academy to another state title
The 2024 GHSA State championships are unfortunately over. But since we just can't get enough of amazing XC races, let's take the week to recap what happened at the meet. Also, don't forget to check out the state meet hub for full coverage of the meet including results, photos, and videos. Or go back to the preview articles to see just how accurate (or inaccurate) the predictions were:
Or you can go check out some of our other coverage like the most Improved Athletes from State or vote on the best performance from the state meet:
Ok. On to the recaps. The 5A races got the worst weather of the weekend, I think. It was HOT for these races.
2A Girls
Well, I said this was going to be a close one. And it really doesn't get much closer than this. I called it a coin flip and that's more or less what it came down to. 3 points separated the two schools and only 1 second separated them on the team average too. Furthermore, their 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th runners all finished one place apart, with 3 of the pairs all being within a few seconds of each other in the final results. A slightly better day from one runner would have been the difference. This thing wasn't over until the last runner cross the line. But in the end, it was Savannah Arts Academy who was able to get a big run from their 4th runner who was able to stay right behind their 3rd runner that made all of the difference as she beat the Columbus 4th runner by 3 places. What a great team race that was full of drama until the very end. Similarly, it was a close 3 way battle for the other two trophies and spots on the podium as Union County was able to take 3rd and East Jackson was able to hold off Morgan County for the final trophy in 4th place.
Individually the opposite happened in this race. Olivia DiQuattro took the lead early and never looked back. She looked very strong and in control, which is surprising coming from a freshman. That's not to say that we don't see freshman win races, especially on the girls side, but what I noticed in this race was just how confident she looked. You don't normally see that kind of poise from a freshman, usually they're running more scared. So it will be interesting to see how that translates long term, we will definitely keep an eye on her in the future. Leah Nyce and Frances Tedder both ran patient and smart races as they were looking to do their part to secure the necessary points for the team in a tight battle for the win. Nyce took runner up while Tedder was able to hold off Alyna Gilbert and Gabby Ware in a crucial 4th place finish while Columbus got low points in 5th and 6th. the only runner who was not from Savannah Arts or Columbus in the top 8 was Lola Hunter who continued Union County's success at state by taking 3rd. Also landing on the podium was Elle Harward-Grant in 7th, Laura Bennett - the hero for Savannah Arts - in 8th, Paxton Kirby in 9th, and Megan Hightower in 10th.
2A Boys
Well this is a swallow my pride type of moment. I got this one so wrong. I should have known better too. The East Jackson boys are coached by one of the best in the business. Maybe it's the fan in me that always loves to see somebody new win it. I don't know. But the reality is that East Jackson left very little doubt they were the best. Hopefully it's because they were so motivated by me not picking them to win that they went out there just to prove me wrong. But really I just blew this one. East Jackson took control and just never left any doubt as they scored the fewest points, by far, at basically every scoring position. This was just a team on a mission and there was nothing anybody else could do to stop them You also have to tip your cap to Kipp Atlanta who ran the best race they've ever un at state as well to finish state runner up. Crisp County had a tough day in pursuit of a tea title, but still managed to stay on the podium while Hart County also showed their state meet consistency by landing on the podium in the final spot at 4th.
The individual race was dominated from the beginning by Evan Osias, who just looked determined all race. I was talking with another coach who was telling me it was like watching Osias at the state track meet last year. He's got guts and fights hard for every second. And he's family brings the energy too. And I think you saw exactly that happen at Carrollton. I definitely overlooked him in this one, and that was a mistake because he showed up ready to prove he was the best in the state. He did it the hard way, and wasted no time in making his presence felt. I can't help but feel that he's got more in the tank in future races, which is exciting, and as one coach puts it would be a sneaky good pick up for any college program. Most of the rest of the top 10 was the expected players, but Hayden Hodges really ran a smart race to go ahead and take runner up. You do have to wonder what might have been if he'd gone with Osias right away, but it was certainly a good idea to run the smartest race possible for the team. Nate Harris and Will Gipson had a good battle for 3rd with Harris just barely getting the edge. Meanwhile Warren Trawick and Jayden White did a great job of showing everybody they can run with the big boys by taking 5th and 6th. Rounding out the top 10 were Oliver Hillman in 7th, Cade Brown in 8th, Noah Coleman in 9th, and Thomas White in 10th.
