The Dawson County High School cross country team ran at the University of Georgia Invitational meet Sept. 3 in Athens. The 5,000-meter race was held at the Equestrian Center.

Madalyn Walters ran a wonderful race. She finished in third place and earned National Elite status for the second time this season. Walters recorded a time of 19:19.93, just behind first place winner Morgan Ilse of Marist, 19:07.19, and second place finisher Sarah Bowles, 19:07.21, of Lakeside, Evans.

As a team, the Lady Tigers were the highest Class AA finisher at the meet. The team finished in 15th place, ahead of region rival North Oconee, who came in 17th place. Two teams tied for first place, Class AAAAA Peachtree Ridge and Lakeside, Evans. Walton High School finished in third place.

Walters' teammates also ran well on the tough course in Athens. Rachael Gloeckner posted a time of 23:18.78 to cross the finish line in 81st place. There were 236 runners in the race.

Morgan Williams, 108, Morgan Collett, 111, Bethany Auten, 136, Savana Estes, 142 and Christine Schmid, 167, also competed for Head Coach Brian DeRose's team.

More than 280 runners competed in the race on the boys side.

The Tigers came in 21st place out of 31 teams in the event. Finishing in first place was Walton, followed by Peachtree Ridge.

Chris Bywaletz had the fastest time for Dawson County. He crossed the finish line in 18:43.34 and a 93rd place finish.

Winning the boys varsity division was Josh Brickell from Peachtree Ridge with a time of 15:21.58. Runner-up was Bailey Roth from Eagle's Landing with a time of 15:53.10.

Jake Hafermalz was the second fastest Dawson County Tiger in the event. Hafermalz completed the course in a time of 18:58.85 and a 107th place finish.

Other local runners that took part in the event were: Jon Erickson, 109, Preston Adams, 127, Josh Styles, 139, Sam Wentworth, 165 and Nathan Shelp, 175.

Both teams will compete this Saturday at East Jackson High School. The race will begin at 9:15 a.m.