Both GMC Prep cross country teams headed to state

Published 11:30 am Saturday, October 27, 2018

From the blistering heat of the Georgia summer to the overcast chills of early autumn the 2018 cross country season has nearly run its course.

The GMC Prep cross country teams hit their home trail Thursday afternoon to compete in their respective area championships, and four turned out to be the lucky number for the two-time defending state champion boys. They claimed their fourth consecutive Area 4 championship as their fastest four runners all finished the 5K in the top 10. The GMC Prep girls also put together a solid performance having finished as runners-up to earn a spot at next weekend’s state competition.

“The team came out strong today and they looked strong throughout the entire race,” GMC Prep head cross country coach Debbie Barsby said after awards were handed out. “The boys defended their title as area champions and performed well although the runners from Commerce were on their tail. They really wanted it too, but we came out on top today. I’m very proud of them.”

The boys race was paced by Commerce’s Brandon Martin who crossed the finish line with a comfortable lead at 17:24. He was followed by Greene County standout Leo Lopez about 14 seconds later, and afterwards is when a train loaded with GMC Prep and Lake Oconee Academy runners pulled into the station. Every runner that finished third through ninth came from one of the two schools as the Bulldogs were led by Colin McCabe (third, 17:58). He was followed by teammates Logan Steinmeyer (sixth, 18:17), Andrew Barnes (eighth, 18:21.52), and Ethan Yopp (ninth, 18:21.80). Ethan Tolentino (12th) finished not far behind at 18:35 to round out the Running Bulldogs’ scoring runners. 

The GMC Prep boys advance on to Carrollton to defend the GHSA A-Public state championship that they have earned in each of the past two seasons. 

GMC Prep’s girls will also be making the trip to Carrollton to compete for their own state title after finishing second as a team in the area meet. The Lady Dogs’ scoring runners placed in the top 21, but ACE Charter out of Macon got all of its scorers into the top 10 to claim the Area 4 championship. Mattison Strom led the way for GMC Prep, taking fourth at 23:55, and was followed up by teammate Lyssa Blair at fifth (24:00). Jada Warren claimed a medal at eighth place with her time of 24:10 as well. The GMC Prep girls have advanced to state as a team in past years, but Coach Barsby believed Thursday marked the first time since she’s been coach that they’ve brought home some hardware from the area competition.

Girls teams from ACE Charter, GMC Prep, Commerce, and Towns County all advance to compete at state for finishing in the top four at area. On the boys side GMC Prep, Commerce, Lake Oconee Academy, and Greene County all earned a spot at state. All teams have about a week to rest up and prepare for the state meet that will be held Saturday, Nov. 3 on the tough Carrollton course.