Weddington Comes Of Age To Win Class 3A Title

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

An extra year of seasoning made all the difference for the Weddington boys cross country team, who returned all seven runners from last year's runner-up squad and won the North Carolina Class 3A title on Saturday with 50 points at the Ivey Redmon Sports Complex in Kernersville.

Led by freshman Nate Jaster's fifth-place finish (15:54.06), Wedding place all five scorers in the top 17. 

East Chapel Hill senior George Hotelling won the individual title in 15:46.9.

The Class 4A boys race came down to a tight battle in the team race as Cary edged out Green Hope 70-76 to win the crown. Cary was paced by senior Anton Idhammar, who won the race in 15:45.1. 

Cardinal Gibbons won its ninth straight Class 4A girls title, led by senior Katharine Priu’s third place finish (18:05.7). Gibbons put three runners in the top 10. 

Pinecrest sophomore Carmen Alder, who was second at Great American, won the race in 17:50.6.

In the girls 3A race, Cuthbertson sophomore Madeline Hill led her team to a state title as she won the race in 18:11.52. Cuthbertson scored 47 points and put all five scorers in the top 25. 

The 2A boys title was claimed again by North Lincoln as the team went 2-3 and had three runners in the top five Junior Zach Hughes of First Flight won the race in 16:00.7 and guided his team to a runner-up finish (74 points).

In the girls 2A race, freshman Hannah Preisser led Carrboro to a state title as she captured first place in 18:59.5. 

The Class 1A boys race came down to a photo finish. Polk County senior Caleb Potter  narrowly edged out Lincoln Charter junior Drew Zink -- 16:28.16 to 16:28.23. Zink and Lincoln Charter got the final say in the team race, however, as they came away with the title.

The Franklin Academy girls defended their 1A state title, placing three runners in the top eight. North Stokes junior Abigail Hemric won the race in 19:34.3. 

Team Champions

Boys 4A - Cary 70 points - RESULTS

Girls 4A - Cardinal Gibbons 43 points - RESULTS

Boys 3A - Weddington 50 points - RESULTS

Girls 3A - Cuthbertson 47 points - RESULTS

Boys 2A - North Lincoln 36 points - RESULTS

Girls 2A - Carrboro 69 points - RESULTS

Boys 1A - Lincoln Charter 51 points - RESULTS

Girls 1A - Franklin Academy 47 points - RESULTS