Piedmont Cross Country Team Competes

Piedmont Academy’s cross country runners ran for the first time in an official meet for 2014 when they ran during a competition hosted by Loganville Christian Academy Saturday morning.

Alina Jablonksi finished 12th for the varsity girls despite running injured. Jablonski ran the course in 27:56.91 while battling knee pain, coach Traci Brady said.

Brice Dodson was 36th for the varsity boys in 26:21.01.

For the junior varsity teams, Mari Jablonski was first with a time of 12:36.37. She easily finished in front of the second place runner from LCA, whose time was 13:55.

Mallory Boyd, running in her first race, finished seventh overall for Piedmont in 17:38.14.

Gracie Black was eighth in 18:06.42 even though she had to battle heat cramps.

Browning Benton, in his first race, was sixth for the JV boys in 12:24.28. His coach said Benton’s time was “impressive” for the first time competing.

Garrett King was 15th overall for the JV boys in 15:47.80.

“We had a great start to our season,” Brady said. “The heat played a big role this weekend. I expect our times to get better throughout the season.”