A Full Day of Racing Awaits at the 2026 Wingfoot XC Classic

The 2026 Wingfoot XC Classic returns to Sam Smith Park on Saturday, September 19, with a full day of racing stretching from the morning varsity competitions to the championship races under the lights. Along the way, state-ranked athletes, defending champions and emerging contenders will test themselves on the rolling hills of one of Georgia's most premier cross country courses.

For some athletes, Saturday represents an opportunity to make a statement. For others, it is another benchmark on the road toward championship season. And for several of the state's top teams, Wingfoot could offer an early glimpse of how the remainder of the season may shape.

Championship Boys: A Clash of Georgia's Best

When the sun goes down at Sam Smith Park, the Championship Boys race could deliver one of the most competitive races of the night.

At the center of the individual battle is Fellowship Christian senior Gavin Quinn. Ranked at number one in Georgia, Quinn enters the weekend after a dominant victory at the Rome Invitational, where he crossed the line in 15:27 and won by 30 seconds. His personal best of 15:18 makes him one of the top runners in the field and the athlete many will be watching from the opening mile.

Northgate High School's Carson Dobur presents perhaps the most intriguing wild card. The senior owns the fastest personal best in the field at 14:59 set in 2025, and holds track credentials that separate him from nearly everyone else entered. While a recent loss at Carrollton raises questions, one race rarely defines a season. If Dobur returns to his best form, the front of the race could look very different.

Denmark High School sophomore Luke Jordan has quickly developed into one of the state's brightest young stars. After running 15:50 at the Fleet Feet Warpath Invitational, he appears ready to challenge seasoned veterans despite being only a sophomore. West Forsyth High School's Nick Bignon and Chiles High School (Florida) standout Jonathan Kiros round out a group of athletes capable of inserting themselves into the lead pack.

As for the team competition, Denmark, the 2024 Class 6A state champion, and West Forsyth, the reigning 2025 Class 6A champion, arrive with championship ambitions. Denmark boasts proven front-runners while West Forsyth brings the depth that often decides team titles.

Do not overlook Lakeside DeKalb High School. One of Georgia's most historic programs has gained momentum under renewed leadership and enters Saturday as a legitimate threat. Richmond Hill also deserves attention. The Wildcats have a habit of outperforming expectations after making the trip from South Carolina and could find themselves in podium position by night's end.

Championship Girls: Could We See the Course Record Fall Again?

The Championship Girls race begins with one obvious question: What can Averi Lowen do this time?

One year ago, Lowen delivered one of the most historic performances in Georgia cross country history, smashing the Wingfoot XC Classic course record in 16:28. That performance not only lowered the previous standard by 36 seconds (previously set by Jane Wangari earlier that morning), but also became the fastest girls high school 5K ever run on Georgia soil. Soon after, she improved her personal best to 16:27 at Great American.

Her season-opening 17:01 may not immediately grab attention, but considering the conditions and a new course location, it only reinforces the idea that she remains among the nation's elite runners.

A course-record watch seems entirely reasonable once again.

Behind Lowen, the race for top positions appears wide open. Columbus High School standout Olivia DiQuattro enters as one of Georgia's highest-ranked athletes and should factor prominently into the lead group. Centennial High School senior Olivia Martin may be the breakout story. Victories at Warpath and Pickens suggest a runner who took a major step forward over the summer and could challenge for a top-five finish.

Marist School's Morgan Waddell has proven to be a top front-runner. With a close team battle expected, strategy may play a bigger role than individual placement for the talented junior.

Then there is Blessed Trinity freshman Reese Vagedes, known at Wingfoot XC Classic for her consecutive youth race victories on the 3K course in 2024 and 2025. Now she makes the jump to the championship competition, a feat within itself. Whether she contends immediately or simply gains valuable experience, her debut will be one of the most fascinating storylines of the day.

The girls team championship appears to run through Pope High School. Georgia's top-ranked squad has assembled one of the state's deepest lineups and enters Saturday as the team to beat. Behind them, the fight for the podium could be fierce.

Marietta High School holds significant Wingfoot history and brings an experienced roster capable of contending. Chiles brings Florida talent that is difficult to compare directly against Georgia competition, while Blessed Trinity possesses enough front-end firepower to stay in the mix.

Wesleyan School may also turn heads as a smaller-school program capable of competing with larger classifications.

Varsity A Boys: Opportunity Knocks

Kicking off as the first event of the day, the Varsity A Boys race has traditionally served as a proving ground, and this year's edition features an unusually open team race.

With defending champion Walton High School moving into the Championship division, a new winner is guaranteed. Among the individuals, Glynn Academy's Jackson Hunter enters with the fastest personal best in the field at 15:25. River Bluff High School's Daniel Campbell is close behind at 15:27, while Newnan High School's Weber Behm brings a 15:46 best that keeps him firmly in contention.

Campbell High School appears well-positioned to challenge for the team title. Their sixth-place finish at the Cobb County Championships came against several schools competing in the Championship division later in the evening, creating a more favorable matchup with junior Dominic Stewart leading the charge.

River Bluff, coming off a runner-up finish at the Eye Opener - a competitive race early in the season, may be the biggest obstacle for Campbell.

Varsity A Girls: Walton Reloads

The Varsity A Girls race features a blend of emerging stars and established programs.

Lakeside Evans freshman Abigail Wong enters with the fastest personal best in the field at 18:38. She won't be alone, either. Teammate Ella Williams gives Lakeside Evans a formidable combination and highlights a program that appears to be returning to prominence.

Dunwoody High School's Callie McJunkin and Sarah Jane Shipley bring another intriguing partnership. Shipley owns the faster lifetime best, but McJunkin has enjoyed the stronger start to 2026.

Perhaps the biggest wildcard is Harris County's Melanie Anderson. Although her early-season results have been solid rather than spectacular, her 17:43 personal best suggests she possesses the talent to challenge anyone in the field when at her best.

The team discussion mostly focuses on Walton High School. The Raiders were runners-up to powerhouse Pope at the Cobb County Championships and have demonstrated the type of depth that often dominates varsity-level competitions. Their narrow scoring spread gives them a significant advantage entering Saturday.

For some athletes, Wingfoot XC Classic will be about winning. For others, it will be about learning where they stack up against Georgia's best. Either way, Saturday's schedule promises one of the most competitive days of racing on the Georgia calendar.

From emerging freshmen making their first major statements to established stars chasing course records and the Wingfoot Cup, the 2026 Wingfoot XC Classic is set to provide a mid-season snapshot of who might still be standing atop the podium in a few months.

If history is any indication, expect a few surprises along the way.

Learn more about Wingfoot XC Classic here. See live results throughout the day here.