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Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009

Grubb repeats as Houston champ

WARNER ROBINS — Jacob Grubb of Warner Robins ran a personal best time at the Pearl Stephens course to lead the Demons to their third consecutive Houston County cross country championship Tuesday.

Grubb ran the 5,000-meter layout in 17:41 to successfully defend his individual title. Afterward, he said he owed a debt of gratitude to Houston County’s Kasib Abdullah, who sprinted out early from the start.

“He set the pace,” Grubb said. “He worked hard to keep the lead. I think he got ahead of himself a little.”

Abdullah led the race until the final 500 meters, although Grubb hung just over his shoulder. At the final hill, the Warner Robins senior caught and passed Abdullah, ultimately crossing the finish line about five seconds earlier.

“It was my race,” Abdullah said, confident in his tactics. “I felt I just didn’t have the speed and he got me.”

Grubb may have had the benefit of a home course advantage. He said the Demons train at Pearl Stephens about once a week. Abdullah said Tuesday’s run was his first of the year at the course.

The meet was originally scheduled for the layout at Huntington Middle School, but soggy conditions forced a change of venue.

Karl Burkhardt (third), Ryan Dimes (fifth), Stephen Bassett (ninth) and Chris Benefield (17th) rounded out the scoring for the Demons, who finished with 35 points. Houston County ran second with 42, followed closely by Perry with 45. Jesse Yeomans of Perry finished fourth to join Grubb, Abdullah, Burkhardt and Dimes as all-county selections.

Grubb said the team’s performance sets it up for what he hopes will be a strong showing at the Region 1-AAAAA meet Oct. 29 at Mercer University.

“If we run smart at region we definitely have a chance to win,” he said.

On the girls side, Megan Breitbach of Houston County finished first with a time of 19:54. The senior topped a group of three Lady Bears in the top five who guided the team to victory. Houston won the event with 32 points followed by Warner Robins with 35.

In addition to Breitbach, Emily Brown (fourth), Ausharea Adams (fifth), Miranda Beard (eighth) and Sarah Pospisil (14th) ran qualifying times for the Lady Bears.

Caroline Mauldin (second) and Elizabeth Lambert (third) also finished in the top five to earn all-county mention.

Houston County Championships cross country Girls

1) Houston County 32; 2) Warner Robins 35; 3) Northside 73; 4) Perry 91.

Individuals

1) Megan Breitbach (H) 19:54; 2) Caroline Mauldin (W); 3) Elizabeth Lambert (N); 4) Emily Brown (H); 5) Ausharea Adams (H); 6) Maggie Dimes (W); 7) Victoria Baker (W); 8) Miranda Beard (H); 9) Alyssa Gisseman (W); 10) Morgan Collins (P).

Boys

1) Warner Robins 35; 2) Houston County 42; 3) Perry 45; 4) Northside 101.

1) Jacob Grubb (W) 17:41; 2) Kasib Abdullah (H); 3) Karl Burkhardt (W); 4) Jesse Yeomans (P); 5) Ryan Dimes (W); 6) Todd Overlie (H); 7) Billy Colbert (P); 8) Dillion Swartz (P); 9) Stephen Bassett (W); 10) Logan Cohenhour (H).