NOHS Cross Country Teams Excel at Opening Meet

The cross country teams from North Oconee High School started the season off with a strong showing this year as both the girls’ and the boys’ squads took team titles in their opening meets at the Bob Blastow Invitational at Clinton Farms.

The Titan boys competed against a field of 16 teams and swept the top three individual spots. Finishers and their times for the boys included the following: freshman Harper Sigler finished first at 16:39, sophomore Cole Thornton finished second at 16:48, freshman Thomas Moore finished third at 16:50, sophomore Tyler Jones finished sixth at 17:13 and sophomore Scott Bowden finished 23rd at 18:17. Seniors Preston Devaney and Robby Bray rounded out the top seven for the Titans.

Coach Ralph Moore of the boys’ team at NOHS has been impressed with the squad’s commitment and dedication so far this season. Coach Moore shared the following thoughts in a telephone interview, “A lot of these runners committed to summer training and this has made a big difference in their ability to perform. There is no substitute for June, July and August commitment." Moore continued, "I was very pleased with the team’s performance on a fast Blastow course.”

The NOHS Lady Titans also excelled at the Bob Blastow Invitational finishing first in a field of 13 teams. Freshman Rachel Sigler finished third overall with a time of 21:02, senior Kara Thornton and sophomore Emma Lowring finished ninth and tenth both at 21:26, junior Emily Measel finished 12th at 21:34.24, Stacey Bowden finished 17th at 22:10.25, sophomore Eliza Peterson and junior Annabel McSpadden closed out the top seven scoring for the Lady Titans.

The NOHS boys are currently ranked 14th and the Lady Titans are ranked 19th among 2012 Georgia Cross Country 5000m Teams. The Titans next meet is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 1 at the UGA Equestrian Farm in Bishop.