Ailments can hold back Booth at Mid-State

Perry boys dominant in ’13 CC opener

Stomach virus. Asthma. Knee operation.

Why did Abby Booth bother even getting out of bed Saturday morning?

Well, it is her senior year at Perry High School and her last chance to win the Mid-State Classic, the new tradition that opens up the high school cross country season locally at the Georgia National Fairgrounds.

Mainly due to the virus, Booth – no other way to put it – felt terrible before and after running the 5K with a winning time of just under 20 minutes and 21 seconds.

Her nearest challenger, Veterans High’s Bethanie Bailey, reached the clock in 20 minutes, 28 seconds.

“I tried to get to 19 (minutes),” said Booth. “But one of my coaches told me the place matters more than the time.”

Booth was determined to run this race and get her last season for Perry off to a big start. She credited her teammates for their encouragement and confidence boost.

Booth said she probably put in more work during the summer towards cross country running than ever. Recent knee surgery prevented her from playing spring soccer and taking part in track and field for Perry. She attended Charlie Santiago’s running camp at the Central Georgia Soccer Complex, and she said he was not only a great motivator but also helped her with breathing and lung exercises that allowed her to deal with her asthma.

“I want to do better at state,” said Booth about her ultimate goal for the fall. She has placed in the top 10 (AAA and AAAA) two years in a row.

She’s has felt tested by all of these physical issues, but again goes back to her fellow Panthers who always tell her, “You can do it.”

Perry can for certain do it in cross country, the girls team taking third at the Mid-State with 106 points. Lowndes won with four top 10 runners and 70 points. Josi Giovinazzo of Veterans ran fifth, leading the Lady Warhawks to second as a team.

Freshman Tiffany Mountin of Perry, in her first high school competition, timed 21:57 for ninth.

On the boys side, Jackson Reid, John Weaks and Rob Ray were second, third and fourth overall within 20 seconds of each other.

The overall champion was Jadon Long (17:07) of Lowndes, but the Vikings were 30 points behind the Panthers for the team crown, 36 to 66.

Veterans High took fourth (102) and Warner Robins fifth (159). Warhawk Michael Rowland placed fifth (17:39), Demon Josh Spalding was eighth (18:12) and Perry’s Callum Henry helped the Panther cause placing ninth (18:36).

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