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Congratulations to the Grace Christian Academy Cougars, under Coach Heather Smith, who qualified for GIAA 3AA State XC Championship.

Tatiana Smith led the Cougars with a 7th place finish, while 8th grader Margaret Chastain pushed through in 15th, respectively on a fairly flat fast course. Senior Kate Poitevint had her career-best 5k put on display and having her leadership in the middle of the race was vital. Eighth-grader Skyla Walker carried her weight with a solid run in her first 5k race and AnnaClaire Moore brought the team home with a personal best on this course. The girl’s team placed 4th, securing a team spot, which has not been done in years, giving Tatiana Smith, Margaret Chastain, Kate Poitevint, Skyla Walker and AnnaClaire Moore, Sybil Lee and Kate Sigman the opportunity to race up north on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024.

The boy’s team brought home the 2nd place trophy, with a repeat Region Championship from Walker Elrod dominating the course effortlessly. Most of the push came from the horses in the front, Walker Elrod, Henry Lee, Perry Glenn, and Caellum Bush, all placing in the top 20, which contributed to the team edging out Southland by 4 points, for 2nd place, behind Sherwood Christian. Personal records were achieved by many of the runners, according to Coach Smith. Representing at state next weekend will be Walker Elrod, Henry Lee, Perry Glenn, Caellum Bush, Owen Earnest, Cade  Wells and Abram Anderson.

The Grace Christian Academy Cougars competed at the Bearcat XC Invitational, while Walker Elrod competed at New World in Jacksonville Florida on a busy homecoming weekend.

Winning the High School Varsity race was Sophmore Tatiana Smith who dominated the High School course with another repeat win and Margaret Chastain placing 6th in the Middle School race. Leading the Cougars in the High School race was Freshman Henry Lee finishing 20th with Perry Glenn and Tom Chastain placing 5th and 6th respectively in the Middle School race. The middle school boys consisting of Perry Glenn, Tom Chastain, Baylor Johnson, Carter Atkinson, Harrison Chastain and Brayden Stewart placed 3rd as team, which wrapped up their season. Perry Glenn will be joining the Varsity team at state.

Walker Elrod finished his regular season with 15:47 at the New World race in Jacksonville, Florida with a 33rd finish out of 350, in a fast-stacked elite race. He will join the the rest of the team this weekend at GIAA 3AA State Championship, in hopes of racing fast on the well-known Peak Course at First Presbyterian Day School.