THE REST OF THE 2021 BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY DREAM TEAM
Kade Ballew (So., LaFayette)
— The second-year Rambler was the second-fastest runner in eight of nine races, including a runner-up 19:01 at the Walker County Championships, a season-best 18:57 for a top 10 at regions, and a 20:33 at state.
Collin Black (Jr., Heritage) —
The junior continued to be a mainstay in the Generals’ varsity lineup and ended up going under 21 minutes in nine of 10 races with a season-best time of 19:02 at the region meet and a 20:15 at state.
Cecil Bussey (Sr., Heritage) —
Had an outstanding final season for the Navy-and-Red, including breaking 20 minutes in seven of the nine races, with a season-best 19:06 at the Region 7-AAAA Championships and a 20:20 at state.
Carson Carpenter (Jr.,
Gordon Lee) — The Trojans’ veteran placed third at the Walker County Championships, was 12th at the region meet, and placed 26th at state with a 20:03, while breaking 20 minutes three times, including a season-best 19:31 in LaFayette.
Kale Davis (Jr., Ringgold) —
The top runner for the Tigers all season long, he ran sub-20 in his last nine races, had four top-five finishes with a win in a dual meet at LFO, ran a season-best 18:39 at the region meet and clocked in at 19:13 at state.
Hunter Gordy (Fr., Gordon
Lee) — The rookie wasted little time in earning a spot in the varsity lineup and ran 20:20 at state, after a 20:06 at the region meet, while enjoying a seasonbest 19:43 in LaFayette, where he finished sixth at the county meet.
Walker Johnston (So., Gordon Lee) — The sophomore emerged as one of the Trojans’ top runners with four times under 20 minutes and finished fourth at the county meet, earned a top-30 placement at state, and ran a season-best 19:37 in Dalton.
Carter Pullen (Sr., Gordon
Lee) — The senior was a model of consistency, highlighted by a seasonbest 19:40 fifth-place finish at the county championships, and clocked a 20:15 or better in his final six races, including a 20:12 at state that earned him a top-30 spot.
Will Riddell (Fr., Heritage) — The rookie quickly established himself as varsity runner and enjoyed six times of 19:15 or better with three sub-19’s, including a season-best 18:12 at region (12th place) and an 18:45 at state.
Grayson Stallings (So., Heritage) — Another newer face who firmly entrenched himself as a varsity starter, the sophomore ran four races under 20 minutes, including a seasonbest 19:27 in Huntsville, Ala and a 19:49 at the 7-AAAA Championships.
Brayden Sylar (So., Ringgold) — The Tiger enjoyed a breakout year by finishing the season with an average under 20 minutes, placed ninth at the 6-AAA meet with season-best 19:14 and crossed the finish line at state in 20:07.
Ryan Walker (Sr., Heritage) — A consistent leader for the Generals, he clocked three times under 20 minutes and eight times under 21 minutes with a season-best 19:30 at the 7-AAAA Championships in Jasper.
Honorable Mention: Jackson Ellis (Gordon Lee); Maddox Henry, Jacob Palmer, Hyrum Smartt (Heritage); Eli Hudson (LaFayette); Blaze Brown (LFO); Kevin Schmelzer (Ridgeland); Chandler Ridings, Ayden Rowland (Ringgold)