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The Grace Christian Academy, Spring Creek Charter Academy and Bainbridge Middle and High School Cross Country teams headed to Thomasville on Thursday, September 2, for the Yellow Jacket Invitational for a daunting long, hilly and muddy course.

With the heat and humidity pushing the limit on if the athletes should run or not, the Cougars and Bearcats gave it their all, with GCA’s Walker Elrod coming in 1st overall for the Middle School Boys with a time of 13:01.

Elrod was followed up by Bainbridge Middle School’s Corbin Thompson and Gambler Dollar, placing in 8th and 9th respectively with times of 15:08.60 and 15:10.80.

GCA’s Henry Lee rounded out the top 20 with a time of 16:17.20

The Middle School Girls team also had a top 10 finish.

BMS’ Teagan Barefoot placed 6th with a time of 20:05.70.

Carrington Smith also of BMS placed 12th with a time of 21:01.50. Just over a minute later, Lawren Love of BMS placed 21st with a time of 22:14.70.

Elizabeth Adams and Enajiya Marcus of SCCA rounded out the top 30, pacing 28th and 29th with times of 24:16.40 and 24:21.60.

BHS’ Landon Watts zipped into second place for the varsity boys with a time of 18:16.30.

Jared Davis of BHS placed 17th with a time of 22:34.30 and GCA’s Owen Earnest rounded out the top 20, placing 19th with a time of 22:50.10.

BHS’ Rylan Bland took home 6th place for the varsity girls, finishing with a time of 25:25.50.

Haydyn Klock of BHS placed 12th with a time of 27:31.60, while Kate Poitevint placed 14th for GCA with a time of 28:41.90.

GCA’s Sybil Lee rounded out the top 30, placing 27th with a time of 31:00.90.

All the teams will race again on Saturday in Leesburg at the Lee County Invitational.