Wachtel, Minuitti Win Under The Lights in Georgia

From Atlanta Track Club

September 20, 2019 -

CARTERSVILLE - Friday Night Lights met the world of cross country this weekend in Cartersville, as Georgia's top runners shone brighter than ever under the lights at the fifth annual Wingfoot XC Classic. Competing for the first time in a primetime race after sunset, Justin Wachtel of Mary Persons and Hannah Minuitti of Blessed Trinity took victories in the Boys and Girls Championship races in 15:11.8 and 17:54, respectively. Harrison High School won the Boys Championship, while Marist won the girls title, as Harrison also took home the Wingfoot Cup for the combined team title.

In a field featuring eight of the top ten teams in Georgia, Wachtel began as the pre-race favorite and lived up to the billing, but it wasn't always easy for the junior. From the outset, Lakeside High School's Mikias Mekonen took the race out, going through one mile in 4:56, followed closely by Wachtel, Harrison's Sully Shelton, Archer's Myles Collins, and North Hall's Andrew Jones.

Those latter four would wind up being the leading pack through the second mile, with Shelton, Collins and Jones eagerly hoping to stick around with the strong Wachtel and hold on for a tight finish. With just under a mile to go, Shelton made a major move, looking to put some distance between him and the Mary Persons standout, but Wachtel was able to cover every move, with Collins hanging just behind.

Three-wide into the final 400m they went, and it was Shelton who looked like he'd have the strength and speed to pull out the victory. But as the Hoya pushed past Wachtel again and dropped Collins, Wachtel was once again able to cover the move and put in a punishing finishing sprint, turning on the jets and unleashing a monster finishing kick that propelled him to victory in 15:11.9.