Gilmer High cross-country runners hit the trail for the final time this season.
The GHS Bobcats and Lady Cats were in Helen last Tuesday for the Region 7-3A Championships at Unicoi State Park.
The Bobcats placed sixth out of seven teams in the boys standings, and the Lady Cats claimed the same spot on the girls side.
Pickens’ Noah Jones won the boys 5K by two tenths of a second in 16:43.10. Seven Bobcats competed in the event, and the top-five times were used to determine the team’s placement. Talyn Mesner secured Gilmer’s top finish in 24th with a time of 18:58.4.
Next to cross the finish line for GHS were Eder Martinez (33rd, 20:02), Larz Fowler (36th, 20:13.5) and Christopher Chun-Bell (39th, 20:37.8). Placing consecutively from 47 to 49th were Gilmer’s Max New (22:19.9), Will Capstick (23:49) and Matthew Hennessee (24:01.3).
Wesleyan (45 points) won the boys region title. The Wolves will be joined at the Class 3A state meet by Pickens (54), Dawson County (62) and Lumpkin County (65).
White County’s Nealeigh Broadwell won the girls 5K by 27 seconds with a time of 20:00.7. Amalia Raymundo-Lopez led Gilmer’s charge in 23:57.7 for 23rd. Also tallying Lady Cat points were Kamryn Baxter (28th, 24:31.9), Helana Garland (31st, 24:43.1), Jayla Walker (33rd, 25:10) and Carly Becerra (37th, 26:17.5).
Behind Wesleyan (40) in the girls standings were Dawson (54), Pickens (64) and White County (83).