E-1 Succeeds at 2013 Cross Country Meets and Championships

With last week’s Georgia High School Cross Country Championship and the last roadrunners race until spring, many people are under the assumption that except for the Nike, Foot Locker and collegiate championships, the 2013 cross country season is over. The assumption is incorrect; youth across the nation are still actively running. On Saturday, Nov. 2, the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) hosted its annual District/State Championship in which four E-1 athletes from Douglasville participated. The 2013 Championship was held at the Fort Gordon Military base in Evans, Georgia. Participating in the Championship were Cannon Hicks (Arbor Station ES), Gunnar Hicks (Chapel Hill MS), Joshua Sleight (Dorsett Shoals ES), and Samantha LiPuma (Chapel Hill MS).

Joshua competed in and placed first in the 8 year old 2K race; Cannon finished 1st in the 10 year old 3K race and achieved a Personal Best; Samantha placed 4th in the 12 year old 3K race; and Gunnar achieved a personal best,  finishing 13th in the 13year old 4K race.. All athletes returned home with medals. E-1’s Lead Cross Country Coach states, I am very proud of each athlete. They each have worked hard preparing for the meets.”.

These athletes, plus others from Douglas County’s E-1 Track Club will be attending the 2013 National J.O. Cross Country Championship later this year. Some will also be participating in the United States Association of Track & Field Cross Country series.

While Coach Hicks was at Fort Gordan, four of his newer athletes were participating in a cross country meet in Fayetteville. Eight year old, Aniah Dillon (Lithia Christian Academy ) achieved a personal best as did 9 year old Gregory Aalgaard (South Douglas ES) who participated in his second Club meet. Jonathan Taylor (Bill Arp ES), a 10 year old, showed a lot of promise in his first track club appearance at a meet.

Although Coach Hicks could not be in two places at once, he celebrated the accomplishments of his novice runners via text and telephone. E-1’s Head Coach was asserted that E-1’s success is attributed to his great coaching staff, supportive parents, and hard working athletes. He also noted, “I am also appreciative of the community’s support, especially as it relates to providing diverse facilities at which athletes can train.”