SAVANNAH, GA. — Savannah-area cross country runners made their mark across the state Saturday, November 1, as Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Sectional Meets determined who’s heading to next week’s State Championships.
To qualify, the top 12 teams and the top 20 individual finishers (not already on a qualifying team) advanced from each sectional to the State Meet according to the GHSA.net website. Athletes from Richmond Hill, South Effingham, Benedictine, Islands, Savannah Arts Academy, Calvary Day, Savannah Christian, Savannah Country Day, St. Vincent’s Academy, Bryan County, Savannah Classical Academy, and Woodville-Tompkins all qualified for the state meet after strong performances at their sectional sites.
RICHMOND HILL
At the GHSA 6A Sectional in Acworth, senior Myles Head led the way for Richmond Hill, finishing third overall with a time of 15:50.62 as the Wildcat boys placed second as a team. On the girls’ side, Richmond Hill finished fourth, paced by senior Chloe Miller, who placed 4th (18:39.85), and senior Gabriella Francis, who finished 5th (18:40.61).
At the sectionals, Richmond Hiil Girls & Boys teams won Region titles again. That is 14 consecutive years for the girls and 13 straight for the boys, continuing one of the longest-running championship streaks in the Coastal Empire.
SOUTH EFFINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL / EFFINGHAM COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
In Whitesburg, senior Ben Fluegel qualified for the boys’ state meet after placing fourth (15:57.58) for South Effingham. The South Effingham girls team also qualified, led by sophomore Rebecca Long, who ran 19:46.83 and placed ninth. Effingham County’s junior Chloe Adkins also advanced to state as an individual qualifier, finishing eighth (19:38.95).
BENEDICTINE MILITARY SCHOOL
At the Jones County course in Gray, Benedictine Military School finished seventh as a team, led by junior Cole Minnich, who ran to a third-place finish (15:54.93).
ISLANDS HIGH SCHOOL
The Islands High School girls team advanced to state after finishing fourth at the Long County course in Ludowici. Senior Sadie Edris, a standout for the Sharks, finished sixth (21:13.63).
SAVANNAH ARTS ACADEMY
The Savannah Arts Academy girls captured the Sectional Championship at East Jackson High in Commerce, placing five runners in the top 11.
Junior Francie Tedder – 2nd, 20:25.63
Sophomore McKay Bennett – 3rd, 20:58.78
Sophomore Ava Treece – 7th, 21:29.24
Junior Morgan Irvine – 9th, 21:34.67
Freshman Eleanora Smith – 11th, 22:16.65
The Savannah Arts boys also advanced, finishing third, led by sophomore Nico Klaras, who placed eighth (17:14.90).
PRIVATE SCHOOLS - CALVARY DAY, SAVANNAH CHRISTIAN, SAVANNAH COUNTRY DAY, ST. VINCENT’S
At Wesleyan School, Calvary Day (9th), Savannah Christian (10th), and Savannah Country Day (11th) all earned state berths in the boys race.
Junior Jamin Martin – Calvary Day – 12th, 17:48.35
Senior Pierce Goodman – Savannah Christian – 17th, 18:12.72
Senior Charles Pope – Savannah Country Day – 29th, 18:46.14
In the girls’ race, Savannah Country Day finished fourth, Savannah Christian tenth, and St. Vincent’s Academy twelfth — all qualifying for the state meet.
Sophomore Ansley Pedigo – Savannah Country Day – 6th, 21:25.12
Sophomore Grace Cunigan – Savannah Christian – 11th, 21:59.17
Senior Ileana Scorza – St. Vincent’s – 44th, 24:53.48
BRYAN COUNTY / SAVANNAH CLASSICAL ACADEMY / WOODVILLE-TOMPKINS
At Jeff Davis High School in Hazlehurst, the Bryan County boys finished second overall, led by sophomore Smit Mahant, who placed 11th (18:28.63). Savannah Classical Academy also advanced, finishing 11th, with freshman Gerald Pineda placing 20th (19:10.58).
The Woodville-Tompkins boys placed 11th and the girls finished 10th to qualify for the state meet. The boys team was led by junior Chris Varner, who finished 7th overall (17:27.00). The girls team was paced by sophomore Giana Bryan, who ran 24:42.10.
Up Next: The GHSA State Cross Country Championships will be held next weekend at Carrollton High School.
GHSA State Cross Country Championships Information
When: November 7–8, 2025
Where: Carrollton High School
Schedule:
Friday, Nov. 7: Class 4A, Private (1A–3A), and Class 5A
Saturday, Nov. 8: Class A Division 1, Class A Division 2, Class 6A, Class 2A, and Class 3A
Savannah-area programs will look to bring home more hardware and personal bests on Georgia’s biggest stage.
Photo Credit: Courtesy Richmond Hill High - Cross Country / Track & Field Facebook page
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