McCallie's Carmack wins state II-AA race

Arkansas-SEMO Live Blog

NASHVILLE - Dylan Carmack raced to McCallie's first-ever individual state cross country championship Saturday at the TSSAA Division II-AA meet at Percy Warner Park.

Carmack covered the five-kilometer course in 15 minutes, 57.63 seconds, helping the Blue Tornado finish third as a team. Brentwood Academy won the boys' title, while Harpeth Hall won the girls'.

Girls Preparatory School also was third, while both Baylor teams finished fourth.

Carmack wasted little time separating himself from the pack, pulling away about halfway through the race.

"You're in first place, and it's such a good feeling," he said of the final stretch. "It's such a surreal feeling; there's nothing better than having all eyes on you as you make that final push toward the finish line.

"I had to run the third mile by myself, which was difficult, but I had written the phrase 'Why Not?' on my arm before the race, and told myself there was no reason to push myself harder and to do what I needed to do to get things done. There was no reason not to kick to the finish."

Along with Carmack, Reed Oscar made all-state for the Blue Tornado. GPS's Madison Watson made the girls' all-state team.

For Baylor, Grace Carlson made it for the girls, while Jackson Goodwin finished 10th to earn the honor for the boys.

"We had all seven of our guys in the top 15 in the first mile and got a little zealous," Baylor coach Jan Gautier said. "We went out a little hard, and we're disappointed, but I'm proud of the guys for going for it. That's what we want to do."

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