Colquitt 25th, 29th in state cross country

Published 10:23 pm Monday, November 12, 2007

MOULTRIE — The Colquitt County boys cross country team was 25th and the girls were 29th in the Class AAAAA meet held Saturday in Carrollton.

Both the Packers and Lady Packers finished fourth in the in Region 1-AAAAA meet at Freedom Park in Valdosta to qualify for the state meet.

Collins Hill swept the state boys and girls Class AAAAA championships.

Walton was second in the girls race, followed by North Gwinnett and Parkview.

Brookwood was the boys runner-up. Parkview was third and Walton was fourth.

Each race drew 32 teams, the top four from each of the eight Class AAAAA regions.

Colquitt County coach Mell Wier said he was pleased with his teams performances.

“They all ran pretty solid,” he said. “It’s a different world up there from what we see week in and week out down here.

“But we’re getting the experience we need and seeing what it’s like up there on the hills.”

Carlos Charles turned in the best time for the Colquitt County boys, an 18:22.

Tyler Dismuke, who was punting for the Packers football team in Tifton the night before, had an 18:33.

Julio Perez turned in a 19:41; Nic Price, a 19:49; Heath Lamb, a 19:50; Craig Dabdoub, a 20:19; and Marcos Gomez, a 21:19.

Both Dismuke and Lamb are members of the Colquitt County football program and run cross country part-time.

“If Tyler and Heath were full-time, I’d say we could compete with anyone,” Wier said. “Otherwise, we can be in the top three or four (at region).”

Carly Banks led the Lady Packers with a 23:56.

She was followed by Karli Brown, with a 24:45; Lacey Webb, 25:35; Morgan Hayes, 25:41; Carly Moore, 26:02; Laura Robinson, 26:50; and Carla Duque, 26:57.

Wier said he will have his entire girls team back next year.

“And we’ve got a couple of other young runners who will be fighting for varsity spots next year,” Wier said.

“Hopefully, the girls will be able to step it up a notch next year.”