SOUTH CAROLINA STATE MEET

Jake Liebert Wins Third State Title; Dorman Boys, Fort Mill Girls Take 5A Crowns

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Wando High’s Jake Liebert capped off his impressive high school cross country career Saturday at the SCHSL State Championships with a dominating victory. The University of Tennessee-bound distance runner covered the 5,000-meter Newberry College Cross Country Course in a time of 15 minutes, 19.79 seconds and claimed his third straight 5A title. Runner-up was William Cronin of Lexington in 15:47.50. 

The Dorman boys won the 5A team championship with 62 points as Andrew Cleland led the way with a third-place finish (16:01.22). 

Sophomore Alivia Cleveland guided Fort Mill to a 5A title as she won the race in 18:17.24. Fort Mill had four runners in the top 17 to score 68 points and hold off defending champion Lexington (76 points). 

Greer Middle College Charter once again impressed, defending the 2A title with a low score of 29. Sophomores Beason Tuck (15:59.46), Jackson Tuck (16:19.42) and Chappell Martin (16:32.64) went 2-3-4 for Greer Middle. Junior Quinn Swanton of Academic Magnet won the individual title in 15:52.20. 

In the girls 2A race, Bishop England successfully defended the title with 30 points as sophomore Nora Brahim paced the team with a first-place finish in 18:22.25. All five runners finished in the top 10 for Bishop England. 

The Brashier boys had little trouble defending the 1A title as all five runners finished in the top 11 to score 38 points. Grayson Gibbons of Southside Christian won the race in 16:08.51, more than 45 seconds ahead of the next finisher. 

Led by a 1-2 finish from Ansley Prescott (19:39.81) and Ashten Still (19:59.10) the Dixie girls placed five runners in the top 15 to tally 43 points and win the 1A team title. 

4A-3A - Friday, November 10

After placing 22nd a year ago, South Pointe senior Garrett Brown shaved off nearly two minutes from his 2022 time to win his first 4A state title on Friday at Newberry College. Brown’s winning time of 15:50.6 capped off a breakout season that featured a 4A state qualifying victory a week earlier. In the team race, the Catawba boys claimed the 4A title with 113 points with three in the top 15. 

The James Island girls team dominated the 3A race with 43 points to dethrone 2022 champion Greenville (95 points). Senior Hannah Vroon led the way for James Island, crossing the line first in 18:51.36. The team finished with five runners in the top 16. 

The Wren boys edged out Phillip Simmons, 64-76 to win the 3A crown. Senior Edward Wedgewood led the way with a runner-up finish (16:09.55). Walhalla senior Elijah Moore won the 3A title in a dominating time of 15:49.04. 

Sophomore Avah Mallek guided Philip Simmons to a repeat 3A title, winning the 5,000-meter race in time of 18:51.96. Philip Simmons had all five runners finish in the top 11 to score 32 points. 

Team Champions

Class 5A: Dorman boys 62 points; Fort Mill girls 68 points - RESULTS

Class 4A: Catawba Ridge boys 113 points; James Island girls 43 points - RESULTS

Class 3A: Wren boys 64 points; Philip Simmons girls 32 points - RESULTS

Class 2A: Greer Middle College Charter boys 29 points; Bishop England girls 30 points - RESULTS

Class 1A: Brashier boys 38 points; Dixie girls 43 points - RESULTS