Cartersville cross country teams earn state bids

The Cartersville High School girls and boys cross country teams qualified for the Class AAAA state meet Thursday evening with both teams placing fourth at the Region 7-AAAA championship meet hosted by Heritage High School in Ringgold.

Heritage girls won the team event, followed by Pickens, Southeast Whitfield, and Cartersville. Each of those teams will advance to the state meet in Carrollton on Saturday, November 7. The Northwest Whitfield girls were fifth, followed by Gilmer and Lafayette.

The Lady Canes were led by senior Bree Cole who finished seventh in a time of 21:17.72. Abby Foristall ran 15th overall in 22:30.78 for Cartersville. She was followed by teammates Kayla Carpenter (21st, 23:29.89), Edith Milian (22nd, 23:30.85), Vanna Beach (23rd, 23:58.21). Victoria Martino (44th) and Krystinn Dabbs (45th) also competed for Cartersville.

Heritage also won the boys race, finishing two points ahead of Gilmer. Pickens was third, but only three points ahead of Cartersville. Those four teams will advance to the state meet. Northwest Whitfield finished fifth in the boys race, followed by Southeast Whitfield, Ridgeland, and Lafayette.

Freshman Haden Boone ran ninth overall for the Hurricanes in 17:55.76. He was followed by teammates Robby Earick (11th, 17:56.56), Patrick Gordon (13th, 18:11.39), Andy Sims (15th, 18:16.52), and Will Pruitt (22nd, 18:46.91). Jacob Busek finished 29th overall and William Matherne was 40th.

All the GHSA State Championship cross country races will be at Carrollton High School on Saturday, November 7. The Class AAAA boys start time is scheduled for 12 noon and the Class AAAA girls race is scheduled for 12:45pm.