Wolcott, Heritage win region

By MANNY FILS
manny.fils@rockdalecitizen.com 

CONYERS – Heritage's Soibhan Wolcott finished the 5K race in 21 minutes, two seconds to earn 
the Region 8-AAAA championship, and the Lady Patriots defended their region cross country title 
by taking five of the top eight spots on Saturday at the Georgia International Horse Park.
I'm extremely proud of the way the girls ran today. The girls defended their title and they all 
had outstanding performances," said Heritage coach Brian Sanders. "I just can't say enough about 
how hard the team worked over the summer and all school year. This is just one more step for the 
state."
Also earning an automatic bid to Carrollton on Nov. 8 is Rockdale's Carys Fincher. After missing
a trip to the state meet last year by nine seconds, Fincher took the fifth spot in the region 
by completing the course in 21:28.
"I'm really proud for Carys after missing state last year by nine seconds. I know it's 
been eating at her all year," said Rockdale coach Chad Suddeth. "I haven't had to motivate her 
at all. She's had her own motivation this year."
As a team, the Rockdale girls took the fourth spot in the region to earn a trip to the Class 
AAAA sectionals in Gainesville on Nov.1. The third- and fourth-place finishers from  each region 
will compete with the top eight heading to Carrollton.
"I knew they had a shot of finishing in the top four. They were right in the thick of things. 
They really worked hard for it," said Sudduth.
Earning the trip to Gainesville for the Bulldogs were Kayla Johnson (21:38), Katie Johnson 
(24:34), Alicia Bellis (24:45) and Jenna Williamson (26:31), Cheryl Brantley and Ally Long.
The top four teams were Heritage with 22 points, followed by Winder-Barrow (41), Loganville 
(74) and Rockdale (85).