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Faith, Focus, Fight and Finish - The Clarkston GA boys XC team Final Part- Mary Albl

Published by
DyeStat.com   Nov 20th 2015, 9:31pm
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Clarkston showed what it's made of -- again

 

By Mary Albl


 

The Clarkston High cross country team wanted to give people something to talk about this season. 

 

So flash back to a hot August day in Clarkston, Ga. as the team assembled for practice for the 2015 season. The Angoras are little more than nine months removed from winning the first state championship in program history. 

 

The Angoras' story – a financially strapped team comprised of refugees from other lands pulling together and finding success – captivated people locally and nationally last fall. 

 

Yet, there were still the skeptical comments that surfaced. Many asked on social media: ‘Why?’ 

 

Why is a team from central Georgia, not even nationally ranked, receiving attention? 

 

“You know how social media is, and it takes on a life of its own,” Clarkston head coach Wesley Etienne said.

 

With many new faces stepping into roles greater than they knew at the time, the season didn’t go as once envisioned. 

 

A learning curve to the sport and self-discovery was the focus for much of the season. 

 

But for Clarkston, the ending on Nov. 7 at the 5A State Championships was worth the wait.    

 

“We had talked about top-3 or top-5,” the coach said. We could possibly show people that we deserve to be talked about.” 

 

On a soggy and damp morning, the Clarkton boys cross country team stepped on to the 3.1 mile course at Carrollton High and just ran. 

 

“They knew it wasn't about fast times,” Etienne said.

 

The race was summed up by the four words that Etienne has drilled into the boys since he took over four years ago: “Faith, Focus, Fight and Finish.”

 

“We needed everything we had because each of those words are very powerful words,” said Clarkston junior Bineyam Tumbo, who is originally from Ethiopia. “So we give everything we have.”

 

Led by Suheib Mohamed’s fifth-place finish, Clarkston placed three runners in the top 20 and five in the top 40 to score 90 points and win the state championship for the second straight year.

 

First year varsity runner and senior Paul Nikobiri ran one of his best races of the season, placing 19th overall. 

 

“It means everything to win the title again and it means anything is possible even when the odds are stacked against you,” Tumbo said. “I think we won the championship by discipline, hard work and the warrior mentality.”

 

Etienne said he hopes the team's success has a ripple effect on a diverse Clarkston community that is reinforced by its compassion and acceptance of re-settled people looking for opportunities to thrive.  

 

“Our main goal was to put Clarkston in a better light,” Etienne said. “Us winning and making the news, it shows people our school is just like every other school and we have a lot of talent.”

 

After another historic season, Clarkston will send three of its runners to the Foot Locker South Regional in North Carolina on Nov. 28. 

 

“It felt very good to win again because no one believed in us besides our community and others that like our team,” Tumbo said. “We did prove something and that (was) we are capable of winning state. Also, we showed that rankings do not mean anything and that you can't predict the future.”



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1 comment(s)
hesterd1914
Thank you recognizing these amazing student athletes. I am glad you took the time to focus on a story of character and determination versus just time.

I am sure that there are many great stories of sportsmanship, perseverance and more. We are humbled by the notion that you considered the struggles of this time.

Thank you again.

A great series!

Coach Hester
Clarkston High School
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