Fort Mill Cross Country Teams Dominate State Meet! 

 The Fort Mill High School cross country program cemented its status as a distance powerhouse, with the girls’ team capturing their third consecutive title and the boys’ team claiming their second straight championship at the SC High School 5A Division 2 State Championship on Saturday. The historic performance showcased the deep talent and consistent excellence within the program.

Fort Mill Girls Complete Historic Three-Peat

The Fort Mill girls were peerless, securing the state championship with a commanding team score of 38 points, outpacing second-place Greenville by 36 points. This victory marks a monumental three-peat for the program. Their strategy relied on powerful pack running, as their top five scorers finished within the top 16 overall.

• Marlee Cook (SR) led the charge, finishing 2nd overall with an impressive time of 19:07.78.

• Lauren Allen (9) followed closely in 4th place at 19:13.16.

• Alivia Cleveland (SR) rounded out the early finishers, coming in 6th with a time of 19:17.10.

York County Girls Standouts

Other York County schools delivered strong results in the Girls’ 5K:

• Nation Ford High School finished a strong 4th with 168 points. The Falcons were powered by Addison Eastley (9), who finished 7th overall with a time of 19:22.56, and Haley Garcia (JR), who placed 12th at 19:49.98.

• Catawba Ridge High School placed 11th with 273 points. Their standout runner was Isabella Cardozo (SR), who had an excellent race to finish 8th overall in 19:23.29.

Full results are available on the SC Runners Mile Split website

Fort Mill Boys Secure Second Straight Title

he Fort Mill boys’ team replicated the success, winning their second consecutive state title with a total of 48 points. Their victory was secured by placing four runners in the top ten, overwhelming second-place Chapin.

• Finn Leckrone (SR) was the lead runner for the Yellow Jackets, taking 2nd place overall with a blazing 15:51.34.

• Connor Demmerle (SR) and Owen Ware (SO) were right behind, finishing 4th and 5th with times of 16:05.11 and $16:10.25, respectively.

• Hudson Haley (JR) secured 7th place, crossing the finish line at 16:17.03.

York County Boys Contenders

York County was well represented at the top of the boys’ standings, with three local teams finishing in the top four:

• Catawba Ridge High School finished 3rd with 92 points. The Copperheads were led by Ryan Pierson (JR), who took 3rd place overall in 15:57.49, and Lincoln Smith (9), who finished 9th at 16:26.38.

• Nation Ford High School rounded out the top four, claiming 4th place with 110 points. The Falcons’ top finisher was Robert Saddler (JR), who came in 11th overall with a time of 16:31.41.

This exceptional dual-championship performance underscores the dedication and depth of the Fort Mill cross country program, solidifying its place among the state’s elite.

Full results are available on the SC Runners Mile Split website