Morris, Riverside, Hilton Head shine

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

The biggest news in the state didn’t come from the state association meet, but the Class 2A SCISA (independent schools) championships, where Logan Morris ran 17:28 for an all-time state record. It was Morris’ record-setting seventh title and Spartanburg Christian Academy’s 11th. Morris won the race by more than two minutes. 

The SCISA schools ran in three classifications at Heathwood Hall in Columbia on Oct. 31. 

The SCHSL championships were a week later, also in Columbia, at Sandhills Research Park. 

The big story there revolved around the progress of the nationally ranked Riverside girls, who scored 20 points as they march toward a potential NXN berth. They won their second straight Class 4A title and put their scoring five in the top eight, going 1-4-5-6-8. 

Eighth grader Jessie Crowley won the 4A championship race for Riverside in 18:30. 

Jackson Ellenburg of Ashley Ridge defended his individual title in the boys race, running 15:30. 

Wando edged Wade Hampton, 71-76 to win the 4A boys team title.

Hilton Head’s boys were nearly perfect in the Class 3A meet, scoring 18 points. All seven runners finished in the top eight, led by junior Ben Gilman, who ran 16:02. All seven guys finished within 32 seconds – and were the best boys team overall at the state meet. 

The Hilton Head girls had reason to celebrate, too. The Seahawks scored 35 points and put five in the top 12. Sophomore Mallory Liggett placed second overall, four seconds behind eighth grader Mari Lockhart of Daniel.  

In Class 2A, seniors Hayden Dibona of Academic Magnet (16:08) and Amelia Jones of Waccamaw (19:21) turned in winning performances and let their teams to championships. Dibona led Academic Magnet to a dominant win with 29 points (1-4-6-7-11 overall). Jones led her team to the title as well, as Waccamaw scored 53 points. 

Freshman Morgan Summey of Greer Middle College Charter won the Class 1A girls race by 49 seconds in 18:44. Ford McCoy of St. Joseph’s won the boys race in 16:47 and his team won with 24 points. St. Joseph’s also won the girls title. 

Elsewhere in the SCISA meet, sophomore Maryah Nasir of Heathwood Hall won the 3A girls race in 18:16.9. Ashley Hall scored 31 points to secure the win. Hunter Jarvis led a 1-2 finish for Thomas Sumter in the boys race. Freshman Michael Burgess won the 2A race in 16:26.7. John Paul II (girls) and Wardlaw Academy (boys) won the 1A team titles.