Riverwood's Lady Raiders Receive State, National Honors

Staff Report

Riverwood International Charter School’s Lady Raiders Cross Country team is currently ranked fifth in the Class AAAAA across the state.

Additionally, junior Anna Hayden is ranked No. 1 in the state, followed by sophomore teammate Elizabeth Graves at No. 2.

Both students have already been recognized this year by MileSplit GA with Runners of the Week honors. With Hayden meeting the Milesplit US First Team standard and Graves meeting the Milesplit US Second Team standard, this is the first time that the Raiders have ever had two athletes qualify for first and second team national elite status in one season.

Elizabeth is off to a great start this year with back-to-back top three finishes. She took second place (18:46) at the Aug. 23 Bob Blastow Early Bird Meet at Clifton Farms in Douglas County and third place (18:45) at the Sept. 6 Nike Panther Meet held on the Heritage Church course in Fayetteville.

Her personal record time at the Early Bird qualified her for National Elite Status as she met the Milesplit United States Second Team standard. Anna missed the first team standard by .78 seconds. Setting a new personal record at the Nike Panther meet helped earn her the MileSplit GA Class AAAAA Runner of the Week designation for Sept. 6.

Anna was the first runner across the finish line in the season opener as the Lady Raiders traveled to Douglas County to take part in the Bob Blastow Early Bird on Aug. 23 Her personal best (18:39) time on the hot Clinton Farms course gives her National Elite status as she met the Milesplit United States First Team standard.

She also earned the MileSplit GA Class AAAAA Runner of the Week for the week ending Aug. 23.

(Photo: Riverwood Lady Raiders Cross Country team members Elizabeth Graves, left, and Anna Hayden at the Aug. 23 Bob Blastow Early Bird Meet. Credit: Riverwood International Charter School)