Cougars Cross Country Teams Win

The Piedmont Academy varsity and junior varsity girls cross country teams won first place at a meet hosted by Brentwood in Sandersville Sept. 18.

For the varsity Lady Cougars, Savannah McGinnis was the top runner, finishing eighth overall. She was followed by teammates Lynne Marie Edwards (9th place), Emmie Kelly (10th place), Bridgette Phillips (11th place) and Bailyn Whitaker (12th place.)

“This group will need to work on their times to be more competitive at the region level, but I feel they have the ability,” said coach Traci Brady. “That’s what we will focus on the next few weeks before the region meet.”

For the JV Lady Cougars, Alina Jablonski earned a medal for her second-place individual performance. Mari Jablonski was third followed by teammates Emily Mills (4th), Gracie Black (9th) and Anne Marie Hildrebrant (13th).

“These girls finished with their best times so far,” Coach Brady said. “I couldn’t be more proud. These girls have worked extremely hard. They have been so close in several meets. I knew they would eventually meet their goal.”

For the boys, the varsity Cougars all improved their times during the Brentwood meet. Mack Brady was fourth in 21:51 followed by Michael Edwards in eighth in 24:13.

Austin Bass finished the race in ninth place (25:05) followed by Chris Coogler (11th place, 25:21) and Brice Dodson (12th place, 26:03).

“The varsity boys can be very competitive in the future,” Brady said.

The JV boys also had some of their top times of the fall. Owen Brady finished eighth for Piedmont followed by Garrett King (9th), Chase Tweedwell (10th) and Mason Mize (16th).

“This group continues to improve with each meet,” their coach said.

The first-place showings were a benchmark for the cross country program at Piedmont.

“It was an exciting time for everyone at this meet,” Brady said. “They got their first taste of a first place win so I am hoping they will all continue to compete at that level individually and as a team.”