On a Halloween afternoon blessed with cool weather, the Richmond Hill Lady Wildcat cross country team took second place in the 3-AAA region championship meet in Effingham County. They therefore will advance to the state playoffs as the top four 3-AAA finishers go on to state. The boys narrowly missed the mark, coming in fifth.
The meet consisted of the top 7 boys and 7 girls from each participating school. Coach Jimmy Hires was pleased with the finish. Although the RHHS girls had won the region title the past two years, two of the top Ladycat runners, Glorili Alejandro and Alina Gonzales, were unable to compete in the region meet due to injuries.
For the girls, St. Vincent’s nabbed the top spot with South Effingham and Washington County also advancing. Lindsey Vasher once again led the pack, coming in seventh overall in 23:02. Behind her were, in order, Kaitlin Uhlig, Anna Bausum, Katie Berry, Gini Russell, Azea Mustafa and Lauren Hall. The overall top girls runner was South Effingham’s Susan Salisbury in 20:55.
For the boys, the Wildcats were edged out by region champs Washington County with Benedictine, Hepzibah and South Effingham taking the remains slots of those headed to the state playoffs. David Cassidy once again led the pack, coming in eighteenth overall in 18:53. Behind her were, in order, Justin Caulkins, Jimmy Gardener, Brett Tuten, Will Rhyne, Cody Hall and Chase Feus. The overall top boys runner was Washington County’s Rashaun Tanner in 17:30.
The boys season officially ended this day. The girls will now compete at the state playoffs in Carrollton, Georgia on Nov. 10.