Gilmer High made the trek to Helen last Tuesday for the Mountain Invitational.
The annual 5K race attracted 20 varsity teams, and the Bobcats finished 12th with 283 points. The GHS Lady Cats secured a 16th place finish with 377.
Gilmer’s Zachary Bobak placed 24th in 18:57.70 and was the No. 1 Bobcat runner at the meet. Teammate John Keener was next in 39th at 19:31.60. Also tallying team points for GHS were Michael Little (19:49.20, 53rd), Melvin Oxlaj (20:46.70, 86th) and Talyn Mesner (21:14.40, 99th).
Bobcat senior Carson Purvis was injured during the race and did not finish.
For the Lady Cats, Helana Garland crossed the finish line first in 57th place in 24:59.30. Sophia Lykins (25:28) and Kamryn Baxter (26:29.20) landed in 63rd and 77th place, respectively. They were followed by Lady Cats Haley Wilson (27:34.90, 86th) and Carly Becerra (29:21.90, 106th).
North Hall won the girls race over Loganville, 40-71, while Greenbrier (122) was third. Chestatee claimed the boys race easily with 34 points ahead of runner-up Hart County (118) and third-place North Hall (167).
The junior varsity Bobcats were in attendance as well and placed 10th out of 13 teams. GHS runners’ times and placements included Damian Pratt (22:55.30, 52nd), Larz Fowler (22:58.10, 53rd), Matthew Grice (23:17.50, 61st), Andrew Mooney (23:30.60, 62nd), Drew Little (24:00.60, 76th) and Will Capstick (24:53.90, 89th).