For the first time since 2014, both the boys and girls varsity cross country teams will be headed to the GHSA State Cross Country Championships after the teams’ respective fourth place finishes at the region meet on Wednesday, Oct. 27 at Unicoi State Park.
“I told our kids the day before the meet that they need to trust in their bodies and trust in the work that we’ve put in since the first week of June,” said head coach Logan Turner. “They did just that. They ran for one another and that put them in the best possible position to succeed.”
Senior runner Abbie Hilchie once again led the way for Lumpkin with a sixth place overall finish in a time of 21:05 on the girls side.
For the boys, Wyatt Windham also finished sixth overall in a time of 17:41, followed by Ben Sherrill who finished 10th in a time of 18:07.
Turner was proud of his team’s showing, considering the challenge at stake.
“Region 7-AAA is super competitive for both boys and girls, so we knew we had our work cut out for us,” he said. “These kids never cease to amaze me, and I’m so proud to have had the opportunity to have worked with these kids and see them grow and mature into better runners.”
Now, the runners set their sights on the state’s biggest stage. For Turner, who’s in his first year as head coach of the team, it’s an excitement he’s been looking forward to all season long.
“It’s an absolute privilege and blessing from God to coach these kids, and I’m glad I was given the opportunity to do so,” he said. “We’re ready to make some noise at State.”
The teams will race one final time to find out who is the quickest in the state at the GHSA State Cross Country Championships in Carrollton on Friday, Nov. 5.
