The Dawson County High School boys’ cross country team is headed to the state meet in Carrollton this Saturday.

Head Coach Brian DeRose and his boys finished in fourth place, which was good enough to qualify them for the big event.

Leading the team was senior Logan Porter and sophomore Tyler Thurmond.

Porter crossed the finish line with a time of 18:37.68 for 18th place. Thurmond was just as strong coming in with a time of 18:40.32 and 19th place.

“Logan Porter was our top runner, running a great time and personal PR of 18:37. Tyler Thurmond, Jon Erickson, Preston Adams and Luke Williamson rounded out the scoring five. Chris Bywaletz and Jonah Bishop also had solid races,” said DeRose.

Tripp Hurt of North Oconee took home the individual medal with a time of 16:45.77. Finishing in second was teammate Ian Wraga with a time of 17:19.08.

But it was a team effort that pushed the Tigers over the top.

Freshman Jon Erickson, 21st place, sophomore, Preston Adams, 25th place, junior Luke Williamson, 34th place, and junior Chris Bowletz, 37th place, were the difference in the race.

“Our guys really surprised me,” said DeRose. “Our goal this season was to qualify for the state meet and we did. Everything from here on out is icing on the cake.”

Dawson’s bunched up places were 17 points better than Union County and secured them a place in the state meet.

Also running a strong race in muddy conditions was Jonah Bishop. Bishop secured 39th place with a time of 19:41.74.

“The guys have always had the talent to qualify, but have been riddled by injuries this season. It all needed to come together and it did on Saturday,” said DeRose.

Taking home the team title was East Jackson with 39 points. East Jackson was tied with North Oconee, but because of runners placing they edged out the Titans.