Athletics News

Season Recap: MS Cross Country

As usual, the MS cross country season hits the ground running and it becomes a blur. The season featured an opening meet on August 17, and just over a month later, it's over.

The Tallulah Falls harriers had several big performances, and often set new course and personal bests. The Lady Indians placed first as a team in five separate meets, while the Indians came in first once and had five top-5 finishes.

The Lady Indians finished top-10 in every single meet, and were often led by sixth-grader Wynn Whitlark, who's PR of 13:11 was a season-best for the team. She won every Tri-State meet and totaled five top-10 finishes overall. That includes being the individual Tri-State Champion.

Fellow classmate Kimber Shurtliff and eighth-grader Mary Kate Ball had five top-10 finishes apiece, while eighth-grader Mia Kerr had four, seventh-grader Lily Denard three, and sixth-grader Audrey Roy two. With only Ball and Kerr moving up next season, there's plenty returning to help guide the Lady Indians to another Tri-State title. The girls have won five such titles since 2015.

The Indians meanwhile were Runner-Up for the Tri-State Championship, but also have a rich history in the conference with five titles since 2010. Seventh-grader Brody Dampier won the individual Tri-State honors, and had a season-best 12:03 for the boys while recording three top-10 finishes.

Eighth-grader Sebastian York was consistently at the top, placing in the top-10 four times and notching a 12:11 PR. Lincoln Penland had multiple top-10 finishes as well, and others such as Peter Greiving, Parker Bryant, Zach Bonner, Noan McClain, and Kaden Purcell were instrumental to the team's success.

While the team's season is now complete, individuals are eligible to participate in the October 12 Georgia MS State Championships in Bleckley County.