Morgan Mahoney, Sydney Mains, Karly Wilhjelm, Reagan Guess, Anna Smith, Hannah Dawson and Jayla Green helped the Liberty Bell girls cross country team wrap up its second straight state championship last weekend in Clarksville. Liberty Bell is coached by Nancy McDonald (right). CONTRIBUTED
The Patriots were led by Morgan Mahoney’s runner-up finish. Mahoney traversed the two-mile course in 13:35.9 to lock up second place. Meanwhile, Sydney Mains, Karly Wilhjelm and Reagan Guess finished 20th, 21st and 22nd respectively and Anna Smith came in 27th to help Liberty Bell edge out Kingsport’s John Sevier Middle School for the team title. Liberty Bell edged out John Sevier by a 75-83 margin.
John Sevier’s Autumn Headrick won the girls’ individual championship with a time of 13:10.9.
Liberty Bell’s boys finished third in the state behind champion Mt. Juliet and runner-up John Sevier. Lamarkus Dunn led the Patriots with an eighth-place finish while Britten Dugan came home ninth.
In the girls’ Class A meet, Jonesborough’s Ashlynn Roy finished third individually with a time of 14:04.9 while Ella Battel of Gray finished 20th.
Washington County also had a strong showing in the boys’ Class A meet. Luke Mussard of Gray finished second individually with a time of 12:11.5. He was followed closely to the finish line by Lamar’s Gideon Erwin (fourth place) and Jonesborough’s Bryson Lewis (fifth place). Conner Roberts and Ben Shrewsbury of Sulphur Springs Middle School finished 17th and 21st respectively.
