(With links to results and photo albums)
3A Boys Recap
Jimmy Hollingsworth (Northern Guilford) charged ahead of the field from the start and held a good lead approaching one mile.
Tommy Schotzinger (Cardinal Gibbons) and Mitch McLeod (Chapel Hill) were the first pursuers.
Steven Phillips (Cardinal Gibbons), Jonathan Bivens (Weddington), and Chris Reeder (Chapel Hill) were also in the chase group.
As the runners approached the midpoint, Hollingsworth's lead was dwindling and Bivens had moved into second.
Eli Clevenger (North Buncombe) was at the front of a second group trying to bridge the gap to the lead pack.
By the time they got to the two-mile mark, though, Phillips and Bivens had pulled away and were battling for the title.
McLeod was a bit behind the two leaders, while Reeder, and Schotzinger were battling side-by-side.
Phillips was able to hold off Bivens to take the win as McLeod faded a bit.
Reeder held off Schotzinger for fourth place, and Clevenger was able to rise into 6th overall.
3A All-State Boys Team
Team Runners-Up: Chapel Hill
Team Champions: Cardinal Gibbons
3A Girls Recap
Blake Dodge (West Carteret) took command of the race and never relinquished it, though she did get a strong challenge along the way.
At the one mile mark, it was Rachel Bartholomeo (Cardinal Gibbons) on her shoulder.
Tristin Van Ord (Chapel Hill), Jentzen Jones (Fike), and Caitlin Colo (Marvin Ridge) were right behind the leaders.
As they made their way into the lower half of the course, Dodge showed signs of pulling away.
Mary Grace Doggett (Cardinal Gibbons) had worked her way into the chase pack ahead of Jones.
Mallary Price (Weddington) was between groups, trying to connect to the front of the race.
At the two-mile mark, Doggett had moved onto Dodge's shoulder and the two were locked in a fierce battle.
Bartholomeo, Van Ord, and Price were behind, slightly strung out, while Jones was fading a little.
Natalie Andrejchak (Robinson) was rising through the field after being out of the top 10 at the midpoint.
Dodge was able to hold on for the narrow win, contested all the way to the final stretch by Doggett.
Bartholomeo finished solidly in third, as behind her Andrejchak capped her meteoric rise in the last mile by getting past Van Ord for fourth.
3A All-State Girls Team
Team Runners-Up: Chapel Hill
Team Champions: Cardinal Gibbons
(With links to results and photo albums)
3A Boys Recap