By By Matthew Nascone
Escambia Academy has reason to celebrate following the AISA State Cross Country meet. The Lady Cougars brought home a second-place trophy to the Academy Thursday after competing at the meet at Langan Park in Mobile.
"I was extremely pleased with the girls," EA head coach Alan Ash said. "Especially since they are such a young team. We should do equally as well next year. All the girls were very dedicated and represented Escambia Academy well."
Faith Academy won the meet and this was their final competition in AISA, as they will be a part of the AHSAA next year.
EA junior Andrea Nall and freshman Kristen Matthews received All-State honors for their performances. Nall came in second and Matthews placed 10th at the meet. Eighth graders Taylor Hubbard and Charla Starke and fifth grader Madison Matthews rounded out the team.
Ash said he was proud of how Nall led the team this year.
"Andrea continues to lead our team as she has in the past," he said.
The boys' team finished third in their meet behind Tuscaloosa Academy and Cottage Hill Christian Academy.
Alan Ash won the meet with a time of 17:30 and teammate Seth Lassiter, who is a two-time state champion, was right behind him with a time of 17:34. Wade Matthews finished seventh and the trio of Cougars was named to the All-State team.
Rounding out the boys' team was Chase Amerson and Nate Smith.