Local teams compete at Westover invitational

ALBANY — The 34th annual Westover Invitational took place Saturday morning at Robert Cross Middle School. This time the event, a staple in the Georgia cross-country scene, was under new management.

Stacy Smith took over in the place of longtime Patriots track coach Harley Calhoun. Her first time at the helm is going smoothly.

“It’s a learning experience,” Smith said between heats. “I’ve had a lot of help, I’ve had great parents help me out, I couldn’t have done it without them. It’s just great teamwork.

“There is a little pressure. Harley Calhoun is an excellent coach, he left some big shoes to fill. He’s been wonderful in giving me advice. I’ve just been trying to take this program and make it my own. We had to make a new course last year, so I’m familiar with the way things ran and everything. My kids have been great about coming in and helping.”

The race had a few new faces this year, thanks in part to Hurricane Joaquin. Meets in South Carolina were cancelled, and Smith welcomed their participants with open arms.

South Forsyth, West Forsyth, and Westminister were the newest additions to the field from the Atlanta metro area and they made their presence felt. South and West Forsyth placed first and second in the girls’ varsity heat, with respective average times of 19:15 and 19:42.

South Forsyth also took first place overall in the boys’ heat with an average time of 16:50, with Westminster right behind them at 16:55 and West Forsyth placing third with 16:58.

Smith’s Westover girls team finished 10th with an average time of 23:07. Bainbridge’s boys team placed 11th overall, with Monroe coming in at 14th. Bainbridge sophomore Poncherella Leonard was the highest-ranked local runner, placing second overall with a time of 15:56.

“We’re looking towards doing well when we go the Yellow Jacket Invitational on the 17th, and of course we’re hoping to be a contender for regionals in Thomasville as well,” Smith said.