DOUGLAS — Pierce County High School’s cross-country teams competed here Thursday in the Blake Smith Invitational hosted by Coffee High.
The Lady Bears placed fourth in the eight-team girls’ meet with the Bears finishing sixth in the eightteam boys’ event.
The host Lady Trojans easily captured the girls’ title totaling 15 points after finishing in the top five spots and nine of the first 10 runners in the field of 64 runners Coffee was followed by Ware County (96), Fitzgerald (114), Valdosta (118), Atkinson County (123), Irwin County (131) and Telfair County (195).
Nevaeh Grant led the Lady Bears placing 23rd with a season-best time of 27:22.96. The winning time was 22:19.66.
Grant was followed by Emma Strickland (25th; 28:01.18), Mary Emma Moore (27th; 28:10.24), Ana Llamas-Diaz (34th; 29:27.67) and Emily Sierra (54th; 34:26.39). All the times were season-bests.
Valdosta captured the boys’ meet finishing with 18 points after placing five runners in the top seven spots.
The Wildcats were foiled by Coffee (67), Ware County (92), Atkinson County (93), Berrien (94), PCHS (169), Fitzgerald (222) and Telfair County (228).
Chase Smith topped the Bears posting a seasonbest time of 19:56.64 to place 26th in the field of 106 runners. The winning time was 16:45.27.
Finishing out the team score were Dylan Hersey (31st; season-best 20:08.40), Brandon Yepes (34th; 20:33.49), Breck Benton 47th; season- best 21:29.99) and Jeb Bradley (54th; season- best 22:04).
Also running for PCHS were Micah Bryant (64th; 22:52.06), Samuel Carrillo (66th; 22:52.83), Coleman Lee (79th; season-best 23:55.71) and Will McIntosh (85th; season-best 24:43.79).
Pierce County will compete Thursday, September 12 in Hazlehurst at the Southern GA XC Championship hosted by Jeff Davis. The jayvee teams will run at 4:30 p.m., varsity boys at 5:10 p.m., and varsity girls at 5:40 p.m.
