4 Runners Only Girls Recap: GOPC Featured Meet

In keeping with the dramatic upswing in girls' running in our state, the 4 Runners Only Cross Country Carnival featured some of the best individuals and teams the southeast has to offer.  The competition was fierce in all three major races, giving spectators visions of the state meet yet to come.

 

Championship  |  Invitational  |  Frosh/Soph

 

Meet Page with Results

 

(All photos courtesy of Jeff Sides)

 

Championship Girls

 

 

About 800m into the race, the lead pack consisted of six runners, with Eliza Dekker (Durham Academy) in the lead to stay.

Anna McBride (Davie), Kaitlyn Kramer and Sydney Foreman (Ardrey Kell), and Rebekah Greengrass and Dana Cox (Panther Creek) were right on her heels.

 

 

After two miles, Dekker had taken command, with only McBride in a position to challenge her.

Dekker was not going to be denied, though, and she looked strong around the inner loop to finish in 17:46, a new course record.

McBride also looked strong to the finish as she broke 18 for the second time this year.

 

 

 

Foreman finished third, while Panther Creek teammates Greengrass and Cox completed the top 5.

Ardrey Kell's girls won over Green Hope, who had held out their top 5 (they ran in the open race to preview the course, as the meet instructions asked).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Invitational Girls

 

After less than 800 meters, Savannah Fornshell (North Lincoln) and Caitlin Colo (Marvin Ridge) had esstablished themselves in the lead.

Laney Browder (Wilkes Central) was tucked in behind them, while Carly Kreber (Bishop McGuinness) led the chase group.

Allie Castro (North Lincoln) and Madison Simmons (Cuthbertson) stayed ahead of the first large pack.

 

 

 

At the two mile mark there was still a close group of runners, as the previous top three had been joined by Jennie Cunningham (Pinecrest).

Browder pulled away late to take the win, with Fornshell second ahead of a string of runners.

 

 

 

Cunningham used a strong kick to climb all the way to third place, passing Colo along the inner loop.

Castro joined her teammate in the top five, keying the win for the North Lincoln girls.

 

 

 

 

 

Frosh/Soph Girls