SOUTH CAROLINA STATE MEET

Dorman Dominates Boys Competition, Wando Girls Edge James Island

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

A seasoned Dorman High boys team paved the way on Thursday to a second straight state title. With 5A split into two divisions, the Cavaliers used a 3-4-5 finish by Andrew Cleland (16:11.69), Tyler Davis (16:16.49) and  Joe McBride (16:19.49) to score 49 points and run away with the SCHSL State Championship 5A Division 1 title.

Spring Valley junior Brendan Hitchcock was the top finisher on the 5,000-meter Newberry College Cross Country Course in a time of 15:55.48, the only runner under 16 minutes. 

The girls 5A Division 1 race was a battle between James Island and Wando. James Island’s Avery Belk took top honors in 18:31.19, while Wando placed three in the top 9 to edge out James Island, 54-56. 

In 5A Division 2, the Fort Mill boys and girls claimed state crowns. On the boys side, Fort Mill senior Isaac Campbell was the top finisher in second (15:59.19), while Ty Jones of Riverside won the race in 15:54.19. The Fort Mill girls easily captured the state title with 39 points, claiming four of the top eight spots. Westwood senior Emma Ashley won the race in 18:46.65. 

Moving up  a class, the Greer Middle College Charter boys didn’t skip a beat, placing four runners in the top six and all five in the top 11 to score 26 points and win the 3A title. The team was led by junior Jackson Tuck’s second place finish in 15:54.14. Senior Grayson Gibbons of Southside Christian won the race in 15:48.69. 

The Greer Middle College Charter girls made it a program sweep with 52 points. St. Josephs seventh grader Eva Cifuni won the race in a time of 19:27.43, just edging out junior Lowndes Smith of Greer Middle (19:27.44). 

Friday, November 22

The 4A title came down the wire as Bluffton scored 100 points to hold odd Hilton Head (102) and South Pointe (103). Wren senior Grant Young won the race in 16:00.38. 

The Bluffton girls also won the 4A crown with three finishing in the top 10, and all five, and all underclassmen, placed in the top 25. Individually, Daniel senior Ashby Williams picked up the win in 18:52.62. 

Despite a dominant victory from Academic Magnet senior Quinn Swanton in 15:46.47, more than 20 seconds faster than the next runner, Phillip Simmons did a little more to claim the title with 39 points. All five runners finished in the top 11, including a 9-10-11 finish. Academic Magnet was runner-up with 42 points. 

The Phillip Simmons girls repeated as state champs, this time in Class 2A. Junior Avah Mallek won the individual title for the second straight year in 19:12.56. The team and all five runners finish in the top 16. 

Sophomore Gideon Nash led Riverwalk Academy to a 1A boys state title, winning the race in 17:52.98.

The Dixie girls were near perfection en route to a repeat 1A title. Senior Ashley Prescott knocked off 35 seconds from her time a year ago to win the individual crown in 19:04.40, more than two minutes faster than the next runner. Dixie had all five runners finish within the top 10.

Team Champions

Class 5A D1: Dorman boys 49 points; Wando girls 54 points - RESULTS

Class 5A D2: Fort Mill boys, Fort Mill girls 39 points - RESULTS

Class 4A: Bluffton boys 100 points; Bluffton girls 69 points - RESULTS

Class 3A: Greer Middle College Charter boys 26 points; Greer Middle College Charter girls 52 points - RESULTS

Class 2A: Phillip Simmons boys 39 points; Phillip Simmons girls 48 points - RESULTS

Class 1A: Riverwalk Academy boys 33 points; Dixie girls 20 points - RESULTS