SALTILLO— The French Camp Academy girls finished third among 15 teams at the Saltillo Cross Country Invitational. But more importantly, the Lady Panthers were first among 1A teams. Two of the teams behind French Camp, Tupelo Christian and Myrtle, finished first and second at last year's 1A state meet, with French Camp third. “I couldn't be more pleased,” said FCA coach Joe Watkins. “They have been putting in a lot of hard work and the results are showing it.” Madsion-Ridgeland Academy, a AAAA MAIS school, was first with a team score of 44, followed by Kossuth, runner-up at last year's 3A state meet, second with 58 and French Camp third at 120. Tupelo Christian was fifth and Myrtle ninth. French Camp was led by Averie Jane Gundy, 19th in a field of 119 runners with a time of 22:36,7 for 5,000 meters. She was followed across the finish line by teammate Emma Wright, 20th in 22:51.6, Other runners for French Camp – Kelsey Bridges 27th (23:30.9), Annaleigh Bain 27th (23:44), Maddi Davis 31st (23:46.2), Olivia Gundy 34th (23:53.6), Ellen Ulerich 47th (25:11.3), Olivia Surrette 50th (25:36.8) and Kylie Shirley 73rd (28:02.6). All nine runners are underclassmen. Wright and Davis both turned in personal bests with times that were more than a minute better than a week earlier at a meet hosted by French Camp. “That was incredible.” Watkins said. The girls individual winner was Breann Bell of Central Holmes Christian School with a time of 19:24. French Camp boys were 13th. “The boys had a great day, too,” Watkins said. “They are still young and growing.” Freshman Stratton Choppala led the Panthers, finishing 27th in a field of 125 with a time of 19:54.4. “Stratton dipped down into the 19s. That was a big step for him,” Watkins said. Brady Peacock was next for the Panthers, 44th with a personal best time of 20:45.9. They were followed by Beau McPhail, 73rd in 22:39.5, James Cantey, 85th in 23:23.2, and Ian Choppala, 86th in 23:34.7. Defending 3A state champion Senatobia was the team winner and Will Triplett of Madison-Ridgeland Academy the individual winner in 17:35.6.
