The Putnam County girls’ cross-country running team has been racing to success this season. At almost every meet so far, Putnam runners have placed in the top 20 or even higher.
Alyssa Pennington, a Putnam High freshman, brings speed and power to the team, finishing first overall Sept. 8, in the 6th Bulldog Dash, presented by Georgia Military College at Council Farms, in Milledgeville.
Pennington won the girls’ 5K Bulldog Dash ahead of 191 competitors. Her time of 21:40 kept her consistently high on the radar so far for this season’s cross-country meets.
Putnam County Middle School also claimed a bold win as Emma Patrick placed first for the team and 14th overall, covering two miles of ground in 15 minutes, 11 seconds. It was quite a success as there were 221 entrants and backed up her team win from one week earlier (Sept. 1), with a 13:06 finishing time.
Sammy Ford finished well into the top half of the boys’ Bulldog Dash 5K as the top PCHS runner for the class.
Cross-country coach Joe Hutsell said he’s proud of all his runners this year, but especially of his young Lady Eagles.
“This girls’ team is very close with a lot of continuity. They are competitive but supportive,” Hutsell said. “We also have another 9th grader, Hannah Erickson, who is only practicing but helps push Alyssa and the other runners with pacing and daily competition."