The Cross Country teams traveled to Columbia’s Sandhills Research Center on Saturday to compete for the SCHSL XC state championship. After double first place victories last year, both teams sought to defend their titles with the boys team entering the meet ranked number #1 in the state for AA and the girls team ranked #2. Senior Hayden DiBona also returned Saturday to defend his individual state championship.

The boys team claimed their third consecutive AA state championship with Hayden finishing in first place, running a 5k in 16:08. Senior Dylan Robinson finished fourth, freshman Colin Baker finished sixth, Melker Anna finished seventh, and Lyle Johnson finished eleventh. The third consecutive state title is a great accomplishment for seniors Hayden DiBona, Dylan Robinson, Kyle McGue, and Will Bridgham.

The girls team finished in third place, led by Freshman Kate Kuisel who finished as the state runner-up. Kate was followed by freshmen Annalise Hafner, Rachel Walmet, and sophomores Caroline Seymour, Carly Hall, Caroline Keefer, and Sophie Crosby. The young talent on the girls team should ensure great success in the future.  If you see any of these speedy runners around school, congratulate them on their win!