Malone Takes Top Spot Honors in Girls’ 5K

By: Shelia Mader

Poplar Springs claimed the team title in the Girls 5000 Meter Run Finals, edging out Graceville and Chipley with consistent finishes across the board. Malone also had a standout performance, placing seven runners in the top 10.

Leading the pack was Ariceli Perez-Gutierrez of Malone, who crossed the line in 24:05.27, just ahead of Jaymi Miller of Marianna at 24:05.49. Alysia Ratcliff of Cottondale finished third in 24:54.65, followed closely by Cassidy Langland of Marianna at 24:54.86. Brayla Bellamy of Cottondale took fifth with a time of 26:25.56, while Alex Bollon of Poplar Springs and Maddie Bengry, also of Poplar Springs, placed sixth and seventh. Coren Murray of Chipley claimed eighth, Karis Strickland of Graceville finished ninth, and Sandra Perez-Gutierrez of Malone rounded out the top 10.

Team Results

Poplar Springs High School — 29:40 average

Graceville HS — 30:05 average

Chipley HS — 30:22 average

Malone HS — 30:31 average

Marianna HS — 32:35 average

Cottondale HS — 33:11 average

Sneads HS — 36:40 average

Poplar Springs’ depth secured the overall win, but strong individual efforts from Malone and Marianna kept the race competitive from start to finish. With several schools showing improved times, the next meet should bring another tight battle among these teams.