After qualifying for State out of 112 cross country teams in GHSA Division A, the Pinecrest Academy Lady Paladins ran a solid race at the GHSA State Cross Country Championships in Carrollton, Georgia, on November 5, to place 7th in the State out of 36 competing teams.

Finishing first for the Lady Paladins was Jessica Zalzman with a time of 20:09 for 7th place, All-State finish. Lizzie Luffman placed a solid second, with a 23rd place finish. Camille Labiche and Paloma Carroll finished 3rd and 4th. Finalizing the team score was first-year runner and Senior Captain, Katerina Saker. Even after battling tendonitis in her knee all season, she held her ground strong and had a solid last race of her high school career.

Mariana Sanchez finished a solid 6th for the team, and finally, a well fought race was decidedly finished for Pinecrest’s 7th runner, Hannah Kelley. Despite illness and a bad fall, she showed incredible character to compete and finish for the team. It was because of Kelley’s 5th place finish at Region that the Lady Paladins earned their spot at State.

Coach Meghan Hoover commented, “I have never experienced such an incredible team attitude as we faced our final competition. The girls have established an expectation of excellence for themselves and this program, and I know with these athletes leading the team in the years to come, the Lady Paladins will see nothing but more success.” Official results can be found athttp://ga.milesplit.com/meets/94690/results/182093