More than 300 local runners from high school down to middle school gathered early Saturday morning at Darlington for the 22nd Annual Darlington Cross Country Festival.
Model junior Sarah Schabort had the best finish among the locals, finishing second in the girls varsity 5K with a 20:14.19. Schabort finished 55 seconds behind Mount Vernon’s Morgan Huggins, but cleared Hillgrove’s Virginia Nasmyth, in third, by 16 seconds.
Schabort was one of three locals to finish in the top-10 in the girls varsity race. Darlington’s Cora Fannin finished seventh with a time of 21:08.72 to beat out eighth-place Alishia Cook of Coosa, who ran a 21:18.00.
However, it was Rome that had the best team-wide finish in the varsity girls race. The Wolves were one of only three teams in the race to have five top-50 finishers. Thanks to the finishes of Ava Hall (16th), Addie Cordle (25th), Sarah Beth Bushnell (35th), Annabel Chandler (36th) and Sara Holloway (39th), Rome finished fourth as a team with 135 points.
In the boys varsity race, Darlington senior Lee Donahue led locals with a 17:08.79 5K to finish seventh. His margins were slim, however, as teammate Hayes Parsa finished 10th with a time of 17:12.87 and Armuchee’s Drake Ballard followed closely with a 12th-place 17:25.95.
From a team perspective, Darlington finished third on 148 points thanks to the performances of Donahue, Parsa, Zach Kimani (17th), Gray Smith (40th) and Murray Ellington (76th). Armuchee was not far behind, finishing fourth on 183 points from Ballard, Joel Frederick (30th), Jasper Parker (41st), Sebastian Castro (49th) and Jack Pethel (51st).
Notable sub-varsity performances included:
Jane Barron (Darlington) finishing seventh in the girls middle school race.
Max Burnett (Darlington) finishing ninth in the boys middle school race.
Lily Fine (Darlington) finishing eighth in the girls elementary school race.
Lashmi Rodriguez (Rome) finishing seventh in the girls junior varsity race.
Oliver Stegall (Darlington) finishing ninth in the boys elementary school race.
Model finishing third as a team in the boys junior varsity race.
Darlington finishing second, third and second in the girls elementary race, boys middle school race and boys elementary school race, respectively.
Full list of local finishers at each of the races at the 22nd Annual Darlington Cross Country Festival:
Bold indicates best finish on team
VARSITY 5K
BoysTeam
3. Darlington — 148
4. Armuchee — 183
17. Rome — 443
18. Model — 482
28. Pepperell — 840
29. Coosa — 847
Individual
7. Lee Donahue, Darlington — 17:08.79
10. Hayes Parsa, Darlington — 17:12.87
12. Drake Ballard, Armuchee — 17:25.95
17. Zach Kimani, Darlington — 17:55.80
30. Joel Frederick, Armuchee — 18:26.39
40. Gray Smith, Darlington — 18:43.36
41. Jasper Parker, Armuchee — 18:43.79
49. Sebastian Castro, Armuchee — 19:04.49
51. Jack Pethel, Armuchee — 19:04.94
53. Enzo Campbell, Rome — 19:05.72
61. Owen Hard, Rome — 19:16.81
68. Ryan Rush, Model — 19:26.54
69. Sam Zagrabelny, Armuchee — 19:28.33
76. Murray Ellington, Darlington — 19:37.80
92. Matthew Navarro, Model — 20:07.36
97. Clay Sabino, Rome — 20:15.87
99. Bennett Brearley, Darlington — 20:17.19
102. Zion Timmins, Unity Christian — 20:19.69
105. Taylon Waldon, Unity Christian — 20:22.55
108. Emerson Morales-Vicente, Model — 20:27.35
118. Toby Burns, Darlington — 20:42.05
119. Paul Lyu, Darlington — 20:43.48
123. Tony Garduno, Rome — 20:51.83
127. Evans Drinkard, Model — 20:55.30
129. Wes Knight, Darlington — 20:57.48
130. Grady Hickman, Model — 20:58.52
136. Davis Gorman, Model — 21:06.96
137. Logan Cochran, Darlington — 21:08.76
138. Elijah Robillard, Armuchee — 21:09.25
140. Floyd John Mckinley, Armuchee — 21:09.60
142. Micah Wilson, Unity Christian — 21:11.49
144. Case Smith, Model — 21:12.77
145. Rearden Newby, Rome — 21:14.06
149. Lincoln Terpening, Pepperell — 21:17.11
152. Avi Singh, Model — 21:19.86
154. Brayden Wells, Model — 21:22.62
163. Daniel Martinez, Coosa — 21:37.85
165. Austin Edwards, Rome — 21:46.56
166. Chase Kennedy, Armuchee — 21:49.46
172. Connor Hinton, Model — 21:56.91
176. Chaney Beauchamp, Darlington — 22:03.21
183. Mateo Quintero-Paez, Rome — 22:27.03
185. Atticus Bradley, Rome — 22:34.12
196. Omar Vasquez, Coosa — 23:11.31
197. Wallace Ordonez, Coosa — 23:23.75
201. Jansen Eckroat, Pepperell — 23:40.16
204. Gregory Rogers III, Pepperell — 24:05.65
212. Peter Whitehead, Unity Christian — 25:07.69
213. Cameron Fife, Coosa — 25:11.19
214. Aidan Watson, Pepperell — 25:23.80
219. William Hastings, Rome — 26:02.17
221. John Hendrix, Pepperell — 26:16.59
223. Danny Wilson, Pepperell — 26:30.58
227. Javondre Sims, Coosa — 27:45.05
233. Ezra Clayton, Pepperell — 31:05.59
234. Brantley Vasser, Pepperell — 36:50.13
Girls
Team
4. Rome — 135
8. Model — 233
9. Armuchee — 274
12. Darlington — 332
18. Coosa — 443
22. Pepperell — 623
Individual
2. Sarah Schabort, Model — 20:14.19
7. Cora Fannin, Darlington — 21:08.72
8. Alishia Cook, Coosa — 21:18.00
16. Ava Hall, Rome — 21:49.12
17. Ellery McClain, Armuchee — 21:56.71
25. Addie Cordle, Rome — 22:21.32
35. Sarah Beth Bushnell, Rome — 22:53.01
36. Annabel Chandler, Rome — 23:01.28
39. Sara Holloway, Rome — 23:14.94
43. Janelle Taylor, Model — 23:31.62
55. Vivian Cooper, Rome — 24:05.59
56. Charlee Butler, Rome — 24:09.61
60. Caroline Looney, Model — 24:29.20
64. Emmalin Dollar, Armuchee — 24:35.47
66. Annie Watterson, Darlington — 24:51.65
72. Grace Fellows, Armuchee — 25:05.44
73. Khloe Weekley, Armuchee — 25:09.75
80. MacKenzie Woodall, Model — 25:30.84
83. Cyan Herrington, Rome — 25:35.59
84. Hannah Rush, Model — 25:36.98
87. Cristina Martin, Darlington — 25:41.82
88. Sydnee Agan, Armuchee — 25:52.40
90. Quinn Molyneux, Model — 25:54.88
95. Clara Holter, Darlington — 26:08.05
98. Brighton Turner, Rome — 26:24.41
111. Diana Martinez, Coosa — 27:24.08
117. Jobie Ordonez, Coosa — 27:43.19
118. Maddie Ferebee, Unity Christian — 27:45.63
119. Bella Whitehead, Unity Christian — 27:46.21
127. Eva Singh, Model — 28:06.30
136. Rose Kennett, Unity Christian — 28:28.47
137. Braylee Latham DeWitt, Model — 28:28.75
140. Sarah Harris, Pepperell — 28:45.04
141. Anna Claire Lance, Darlington — 28:51.76
143. Katerly Rosales, Model — 29:15.19
144. Adalis Gomez, Coosa — 29:18.53
154. Faith Cheatwood, Pepperell — 29:50.28
155. Sarah Hyde, Armuchee — 29:52.33
157. Abby Moon, Model — 30:30.16
160. Carina Perez, Pepperell — 31:06.79
161. Adriana Baeza, Darlington — 31:13.84
162. Daniela Lopez, Darlington — 31:17.45
164. Anny Ramirez, Pepperell — 32:01.44
166. Victoria Pizano, Coosa — 32:51.57
167. Gimena Cristobal, Armuchee — 32:59.02
171. Delaney Mandujano, Pepperell — 37:08.26
174. Rose Mary Francisco Andres, Pepperell — 44:44.34
175. Mary Rains, Pepperell — 44:57.23
JUNIOR VARSITY 5K
BoysTeam
3. Model — 95
Individual
12. Emmett Holcombe, Darlington — 21:19.78
14. Braden Reece, Model — 21:30.70
15. Joseph Lee Black, Model — 21:37.19
18. Johnathan Long, Model — 21:41.30
32. Eli Jones, Model — 22:27.26
34. Max Burton, Model — 22:31.02
36. Liam Fraser, Model — 22:43.74
37. Jack Miceli, Rome — 22:47.92
38. Luke Flaherty, Model — 22:48.27
39. Logan Johnson, Armuchee — 22:48.44
43. Wilmer Morales, Model — 22:54.50
47. Camden Hatcher, Model — 23:15.58
49. Tanner Couey, Model — 23:22.82
50. Calvin Looney, Model — 23:26.33
51. Gage Beach, Model — 23:31.13
62. Nate Butts, Rome M.S. — 23:55.94
66. Rylen Byrd, Rome — 24:18.88
73. Aidan Fraser, Model — 24:49.76
79. Christian Hernandez, Rome — 25:00.53
84. Evan Poole, Rome — 25:32.49
91. James Bradshaw, Armuchee — 26:53.50
101. Noah Timmins, Unity Christian — 28:10.77
105. Drew Bailey, Model — 28:58.45
113. Caleb Bice, Model — 36:32.89
Girls
Individual
7. Lashmi Rodriguez, Rome — 25:45.73
17. Sarah Katherine Hunt, Model — 28:10.54
22. Evelyn Short, Darlington — 29:12.19
23. Cordie Clark, Rome — 29:20.09
26. Callie Hunt, Model — 30:12.95
28. Alyssa Gacheru, Darlington — 31:01.08
MIDDLE SCHOOL 3.2K
BoysTeam
3. Darlington — 97
8. Armuchee M.S. — 234
14. BCEMS — 414
15. Rome M.S. — 440
16. Unity Christian — 480
17. Model M.S. — 513
Individual
9. Max Burnett, Darlington — 12:16.71
12. Santiago Hernandez, Armuchee M.S. — 12:21.70
16. Everett Hopper, Darlington — 12:39.55
20. Corey Roper, Darlington — 12:42.88
23. Liam Spates, BCEMS — 12:46.70
26. Thomas Herren, Darlington — 12:49.49
30. Andrew Herren, Darlington — 12:56.19
33. Ciaran Spates, BCEMS — 13:10.85
43. Jonathon Velasquez, Rome M.S. — 13:35.41
52. David Dalloo, Armuchee M.S. — 13:41.50
56. Brantley Wolfe, Unity Christian — 13:43.38
57. Levi Devane, Model M.S. — 13:43.50
60. Eddie Williams, Armuchee M.S. — 13:45.54
61. Cooper Murphy, Unity Christian — 13:46.28
64. Hutch Fannin, Darlington — 13:53.42
65. Coye Ballard, Armuchee M.S. — 13:55.86
68. Kaleb Riley, Armuchee M.S. — 14:02.04
74. Auggie Smith, Darlington — 14:07.05
75. Ezequiel Yoc, Rome M.S. — 14:08.15
84. Charlie Burger, Armuchee M.S. — 14:16.91
86. Triston Paxten, Darlington — 14:18.83
87. Lester Martin, Darlington — 14:20.05
106. Harrison York, Unity Christian — 14:40.69
123. Logan Russell, Darlington — 14:57.90
124. Wesley Stitt, Darlington — 14:58.03
128. Kevin Quixan, Rome M.S. — 15:00.38
131. Cade Nabors, Armuchee M.S. — 15:04.29
136. Everett Morgan, Model M.S. — 15:07.77
139. Sullivan Anglin, Darlington — 15:09.45
141. Nicolas Buscato Giotto, Darlington — 15:10.57
142. Jasper Terpering, Pepperell M.S. — 15:11.70
144. Aaron Hill, Armuchee M.S. — 15:14.21
147. Adrian Rodriguez, Rome M.S. — 15:21.00
149. West Hortman, Darlington — 15:23.28
153. Jonny Huggins, Armuchee M.S. — 15:28.24
159. Braxton Cummings, Darlington — 15:38.17
161. Sam Etheridge, Armuchee M.S. — 15:38.94
164. Elijah Molyneux, Model M.S. — 15:45.05
170. Caleb Collins, BCEMS — 15:47.13
185. Emmanuel Cristobul, Armuchee M.S. — 16:02.44
186. Aiden Swanson, Armuchee M.S. — 16:02.78
189. Crosby Thacker, Armuchee M.S. — 16:03.60
192. Deagan Rhodes, BCEMS — 16:05.52
194. Santiago Bailey, Saint Mary’s Catholic — 16:08.35
210. Luke Eberhart, Darlington — 16:28.11
213. Mason Byers, Model M.S. — 16:33.68
215. Tye Patterson, Model M.S. — 16:36.25
219. Nathan Abbott, Armuchee M.S. — 16:39.41
220. Brody Williamson, Model M.S. — 16:39.96
221. Nate Bellcase, Rome M.S. — 16:40.26
222. Ty Larsen, Rome M.S. — 16:40.30
223. Evan Carter, Model M.S. — 16:41.80
225. Jackson Nichols, BCEMS — 16:44.90
226. Kace Wofford, Darlington — 16:45.75
233. Eli Ferguson, BCEMS — 16:50.62
236. Christo Vassiliou, Pepperell M.S. — 16:52.27
237. Sam Stitt, Darlington — 16:53.10
249. Bruce Krueger, Unity Christian — 17:18.65
258. Griffin Bailey, Rome M.S. — 17:32.59
262. Ezra Tucker, Model M.S. — 17:37.73
263. Marshall Owens, Rome M.S. — 17:38.39
268. Liam Zielke, Rome M.S. — 17:45.44
270. Mason Ramos, Armuchee M.S. — 17:58.96
271. Caleb Gunter, Pepperell M.S. — 17:59.94
275. Campbell McGuire, Darlington — 18:05.58
278. Declan Hawkins, Model M.S. — 18:11.54
279. Canyon Crumley, Model M.S. — 18:11.78
283. Alessandro Calderon, Saint Mary’s Catholic — 18:24.55
285. Owen Peek, Model M.S. — 18:28.15
286. Holt Haynes, Darlington — 18:30.27
289. Robby George, BCEMS — 18:46.04
295. Jonah Wright, Armuchee M.S. — 18:59.41
299. Liam Kieler, Model M.S. — 19:14.70
303. Noah Edwards, Unity Christian — 19:22.71
306. Corbitt Voils, Unity Christian — 19:29.24
307. Jordan Branson, Model M.S. — 19:32.29
308. Sawyer Cole, Model M.S. — 19:47.39
309. Jack Gilreath Harvey, Model M.S. — 19:48.78
317. Tucker Couey, Model M.S. — 20:58.45
318. Maddox Cutshall, Saint Mary’s Catholic — 20:59.94
319. Owen Blackburn, Armuchee M.S. — 21:04.22
320. Dane Bowers, Armuchee M.S. — 21:06.11
325. Oliver Brock, Model M.S. — 21:35.02
329. Jeremiah Pellico, Rome M.S. — 22:16.85
331. Dylan DeSantiago, Model M.S. — 22:25.42
332. Emmett Miller, Darlington — 22:34.32
334. Tripp Losh-Jones, Rome M.S. — 22:48.86
340. Sean Michael Byrne, BCEMS — 24:31.37
345. Moises Vargas, Rome M.S. — 27:16.01
351. Pierre Yac, Rome M.S. — 34:56.82
Girls
Team
7. Darlington — 174
11. Armuchee M.S. — 311
13. Model M.S. — 324
17. BCEMS — 421
19. Pepperell M.S. — 515
21. Unity Christian — 574
Individual
7. Jane Barron, Darlington — 13:42.71
16. Joyce Williams, Armuchee M.S. — 14:16.87
21. Adelyn Fine, Darlington — 14:30.17
25. Emma Teems, Armuchee M.S. — 14:39.71
37. Merrill Ostuw, Darlington — 14:51.26
45. Breckyn Brown, Armuchee M.S. — 15:09.45
47. Charlie Harper, BCEMS — 15:22.40
51. Skyler Geeting, Pepperell M.S. — 15:28.02
57. Ava Patterson, Model M.S. — 15:44.88
59. Kylee Bennion, Model M.S. — 15:45.16
60. Addie Kate Cox, Darlington — 15:47.28
68. Grace Gaug, Darlington — 16:08.43
69. Anika Glover, Unity Christian — 16:08.91
74. Bella Purdy, Pepperell M.S. — 16:14.05
76. Eloise Dempsey, Darlington — 16:15.59
79. Lillian Bell, Model M.S. — 16:20.45
82. Natalie Morgan, Model M.S. — 16:23.51
91. Blythe Marion, Model M.S. — 16:35.72
92. Caroline Hard, BCEMS — 16:36.07
93. Bailey Anderson, BCEMS — 16:36.28
96. Nora Jacobs, Model M.S. — 16:37.74
97. Avery Roberts, Saint Mary’s Catholic — 16:40.71
102. Joory Khateeb, Darlington — 16:48.53
120. Mia Peterson, Darlington — 17:08.50
125. Bethany Bagley, Armuchee M.S. — 17:15.62
126. Frances Chandler, Darlington — 17:18.10
127. Claire Barron, BCEMS — 17:21.26
136. Betsy Cash, Darlington — 17:37.09
154. Annabelle Ingram, BCEMS — 18:24.26
158. Sniya Patel, Darlington — 18:30.05
159. Isabella Ortiz, Model M.S. — 18:30.37
171. Annaliese Cargle, Darlington — 18:58.75
173. Grace Ann Claytor, Unity Christian — 19:03.37
174. Lily Timmins, Unity Christian — 19:05.20
175. Arleth Almaras, Pepperell M.S. — 19:07.52
177. Eliana Lugo, Darlington — 19:14.94
184. Katy Smith, Model M.S. — 19:22.40
185. Emmi Baker, Unity Christian — 19:25.05
187. Gabriella Johnson, Armuchee M.S. — 19:31.69
190. Makenzi Porter, Armuchee M.S. — 19:40.46
192. Jude Jasir, BCEMS — 19:53.94
198. Blakely Paxten, Darlington — 20:22.86
199. Yamilett Chacon, Rome M.S. — 20:25.00
205. Evelyn Earp, Unity Christian — 20:46.02
208. Eva Osben, Unity Christian — 20:51.82
216. Zoie Mandujano, Pepperell M.S. — 21:15.76
218. Ariaanah Johnson, Armuchee M.S. — 21:19.32
226. Ava Byrne, BCEMS — 21:39.73
231. Archer Marion, BCEMS — 21:59.33
237. Nora Thompson, Armuchee M.S. — 22:28.38
238. Zoey Ely, Armuchee M.S. — 22:31.06
240. Elvia Mendez Vazquez, Rome M.S. — 22:45.38
241. Jenna Jasir, BCEMS — 22:55.46
244. Jimena Velasquez, Pepperell M.S. — 23:44.77
245. Lennon Hammond, Model M.S. — 23:49.51
246. Ella Forman, Model M.S. — 23:52.08
247. Lydia Nichols, Model M.S. — 23:55.50
249. Andrea Acosta, Saint Mary’s Catholic — 25:06.49
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1 MILE
BoysTeam
2. Darlington — 61
4. Armuchee M.S. — 82
Individual
9. Oliver Stegall, Darlington — 8:24.80
12. Nate Bellcase, Rome M.S. — 8:35.40
13. Aden Edwards, Pepperell M.S. — 8:39.30
14. Luke Everett, Armuchee M.S. — 8:45.80
16. Bennett Pinson, Darlington — 8:58.10
16. Branch Connelly, Darlington — 8:58.10
18. Cole Nabors, Armuchee M.S. — 8:59.60
23. Duke Horton, Darlington — 9:22.00
24. Marty Etheridge, Darlington — 9:26.80
29. Mark Everett, Armuchee M.S. — 9:43.60
30. Nathan Eberhart, Darlington — 9:46.70
32. Thomas Richardson, Darlington — 9:48.40
33. Wyatt Stegall, Armuchee M.S. — 9:48.60
34. Samuel Evans, Darlington — 9:49.80
38. Griffin Cummings, Darlington — 10:03.00
39. Marlon Gaug, Darlington — 10:07.80
42. Wills Hortman, Darlington — 10:22.60
45. Kayden Easterwood, Pepperell M.S. — 10:40.10
46. Aaryan Patel, Darlington — 11:01.00
47. Bennett Gorman, Saint Mary’s Catholic — 11:14.60
48. David Didier, Pepperell M.S. — 11:18.30
49. Georgios Kastis, Saint Mary’s Catholic — 11:42.30
50. Julian Lawrence, Darlington — 11:50.90
51. Isaiah Johnson, Armuchee M.S. — 11:53.10
54. Mason Williams, Pepperell M.S. — 13:12.50
Girls
Team
3. Darlington — 57
Individual
8. Lily Fine, Darlington — 9:35.80
14. Avery Teems, Armuchee M.S. — 10:15.60
17. Ann Carter, Darlington — 10:24.10
19. Chloe Pitts, Darlington — 10:34.71
20. Ava Henderson, Darlington — 10:43.10
23. Rosie Anglin, Darlington — 10:52.10
27. Astrid Wade, Darlington — 11:28.80
28. Livi Willoughby, Armuchee M.S. — 11:47.20
30. Libby Money, Armuchee M.S. — 12:51.30
33. Arianna Acosta, Saint Mary’s Catholic — 13:34.90
Originally published in the Rome News-Tribune on Sept. 29, 2025
