Baker Makes A Run At State Record In S.C.

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

In pursuit of history, Academic Magnet’s Colin Baker came up just shy on Saturday afternoon at the South Carolina state cross country championships.

Baker, a senior, clocked an impressive 14 minute, 48.53 seconds to win the 3A state crown at the Sandhills Research Center in Columbia. The state meet course record stands at 14:37.

“I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t get the record, but I am very happy with my effort. I gave it my all, so I feel good about that,” Baker told the postandcourier after the race. Baker, ranked No. 29 in the latest DyeStat rankings, will run for Harvard next fall. 

In the team race, Bishop England was led by Sam Boykin’s second-place finish (15:54.18) as three runners all finished in the top 10 to score 50 points and win the 3A crown.

Seneca won the girls 3A crown with all seven runners placing in the top 20. In the individual race, sophomore Maggie Rhodes of Woodruff ran 18:48.48 to win.

It was a Dorman sweep in Class 5A, as both the boys and girls claimed titles. The boys edged out James Island 100-104 to win their second straight title. Dolan Owens of James Island won the 5A individual title in 15:40.15. The Dorman girls had some breathing room as they placed six runners in the top 20 to score 56 points. Second place went to Riverside (91 points). National Ford sophomore Katie Pou won the individual title in 18:23.21.

Led by senior Sam Gilman's second-place finish (15:43.39), Hilton Head scored 84 points to barely edged out Eastside (86 points) to defend its 4A title. 

In the girls race, Daniel went 1-2-3 to win the 4A title again. Sophomore Ally Wilson won the race for Daniel in 18:08.93. 

At the 2A/1A level, it was all St. Joseph’s Catholic (Greenville), as the boys and girls both picked up state titles. Led by junior Brendan McTigue (16:33.23), St. Joseph’s went 4-5-6 to score 38 points. For the girls, junior Ava Dobson of St.Joseph’s won the race in 18:03.47.

Team Champions

Boys 5A - Dorman 100 points - RESULTS

Girls 5A - Dorman 56 points - RESULTS

Boys 4A - Hilton Head 84 points - RESULTS

Girls 4A - Daniel 49 points - RESULTS

Boys 3A - Bishop England 50 points - RESULTS

Girls 3A - Seneca 52 points - RESULTS

Boys 2A/1A - St. Joseph’s Catholic 38 points - RESULTS

Girls 2A/1A - St. Joseph’s Catholic  44 points - RESULTS