Eagles Soar at Apalachee Opener

By Andy Carr

August 20th
Winder, GA

The Milton Cross Country teams opened their season with three race wins and one runner-up finish at the Apalachee Opener Meet at Apalachee HS in Winder, GA.

Varsity Boys
Milton (1st-41 pts) took down 12 scoring schools in an overwhelming team victory. Oconee County (2nd-65 pts) & Gainesville (3rd-96 pts) were the closest to the 8th ranked Eagles. Senior co-captain Cory Chambers (2nd-16:04) led Milton as he went straight to the front of the race and was in contention to take the overall win the entire contest but eventually settled for runner-up honors while running his all-time best for the distance! The group of junior Zach Patell (8th-17:40), senior Pearson Gillam (9th-17:41) & senior co-captain Oliver Stone (10th-17:42) came in together besting many teams top-3 finishers. To close out the victory for the Eagles, sophomore Justin Sevel (12th-17:55) & seniors Keller Wilson (13th-18:11) & Jack Rea (17th-18:22) beat back many teams’ top-4 & 5 finishers. Gillam recorded an all-time best for the race distance.

Varsity Girls
The 7th-ranked Lady Eagles made quick work of 12 schools in cruising to the opening meet victory! Milton (1st-33 pts) easily outdistanced the Red Elephants of Gainesville (2nd-71 pts) & Oconee County (3rd-76 pts)! The Lady Eagles were never headed thanks in part to 4 finishers in the top-7 overall places & all 7 runners finishing in the top fourth of the race. Senior Milton newcomer Sydney Anderson (3rd-20:51) led the Lady Eagles for the first time this season! Anderson stayed in the top-6 until the last third of the race before moving up to her final finishing position. Junior Ella Grace Malcom (4th-21:08) was up front the entire race and brought along junior Calista Cacciatore (7th-21:22) & senior Emmaline Kelley (8th-21:22) to push Milton into a commanding position. Final scorer junior Emerson Armistead (16th-22:00) ran to an all-time best to complete the Lady Eagles scoring. Sophomore Macey Schadt (22nd-22:52) & senior co-captain Gabby Beckman (25th-23:18) were the team’s final finishers. Kelley & Armistead ran to all-time bests for the distance.

JV Boys
In the most dominant team showing of the meet, Milton (1st-17 pts) easily out-pacing 11 schools. Oconee County (2nd-70 pts) & Gainesville (3rd-82 pts) were closest. The Eagles used a 1-2-3 finish to set the tone and then followed up with 5th & 6th place and then their final scorers all in the top-11 overall finishes. Making a move late in the race, junior Daniel Murray (1st-18:18) was able to secure the overall race victory in a new all-time best! Seniors Brandon Sevel (2nd-18:45) & Ethan Hagel (3rd-18:48) followed and juniors Martin Sand (5th-19:26) & Luke Erbey (6th-19:37) closed out the scoring for the Eagles. Senior Andrew Ramsey (8th-19:53) & junior Parker Boys (20:20-11th) also figured into the scoring for Milton.

JV Girls
The Lady Eagles took on a very stout Gainesville (1st-19 pts) team and came away with runner-up honors besting 6 schools. Milton (2nd-44 pts) beat back Oconee County (3rd-75 pts) & region foe Forsyth Central (4th-125 pts) quite handily. The Lady Eagles had their 5 scorers in the top-13 places for a very strong showing. Led by sophomore Janelle Hagel (4th-23:59), Milton’s scorers included fellow sophomores Grace Lochman (6th-24:23), Ella Franke (9th-24:46), Alyssa Monje (12th-25:00) & senior Ella Butler (13th-25:07). Also figuring in on the scoring were sophomores Rowan Katekovich (14th-25:14) & Shreya Shetty (17th-25:19).

The Eagle Cross Country teams next see action Saturday August 27th at Chestatee Middle School for the War Eagle Invitational hosted by multiple 4A boys state champions Chestatee HS.