Gilmer High cross-country runners had their best race of the season at region.
GHS traveled to LaFayette High School last Thursday, and the Lady Cats finished as region runners-up. The Bobcats also had a strong showing and took third place in their standings.
The meet was originally planned to be the qualifier for the upcoming sectional meet before region coaches decided that all teams would advance to sectionals, regardless of their placement.
Since the Lady Cats and Bobcats both placed inside the top four, they would have still both made it to state under the initial qualifying rules.
Not much separated the top Lady Cat runners as point scorers all finished within eight places of each other. Estephany Becerra took 10th in 23:27.61 and was followed by teammates Jennifer Garcia (11th place, 23:34.85), Salma Gonzalez (12th, 23:51.23), Morgan Palmeri (17th, 24:51.80) and Allison Hernandez (24:59.62).
However, it was Jayla Walker’s time of 25:25.96 in 22nd place that broke the tie with Calhoun and allowed GHS to secure second place. Selina Tercero clocked in at 27:29.66 for 31st.
Bobcat Dawson Richard cracked the top 10 to lead the way for Gilmer. He finished the course in 17:56.28 for eighth. Seth Turner was next in 19th (19:28.57), and he was trailed by teammates Harrison Chester (21st, 19:38.52), Jeremy Martinez (22nd, 20:14.11), Manny Velasquez (23, 20:28. 31), Edward Marietta (27th, 20:58.49) and Willian Ramirez (29th, 21:40. 03).
Sectionals will be Saturday at Unicoi State Park in Helen. Teams who place in the top 12 will advance to the Class 3A state meet.