Whatley Fountain leads Deerfield-Windsor to second at Bleckly Invitational

COCHRAN – Deerfield-Windsor freshman Whatley Fountain led the Knights to a second-place team finish at the Bleckley County Invitational on Thursday, placing fourth overall in a competitive race against defending state champion Bleckley County. Macy Hatcher paced the Lady Knights, guiding them to a third-place team finish.

Bleckley County senior Caleb Darsey won the boys’ race on his home course with a time of 16:48.35. John Dodson of Benedictine and Theron Claridge of Effingham County took second and third place, respectively, while Fountain finished fourth with a time of 17:43.94.

“It was a tough course,” said Deerfield-Windsor head coach Jake Clawson. “Ethan (Newsome) has been sick all week, but Whatley stepped up for us and ran strong. He’s gaining confidence being near the front.”

Bleckley County, the reigning Class AA state champions, secured the team title with 31 points, placing five runners in the top 10. Deerfield-Windsor finished second with 66 points.

Ethan Newsome placed 10th for the Knights, with Mangham Pippin close behind in 11th. Jack Moore (18th) and Daniel Roland (23rd) completed the scoring for Deerfield-Windsor.

In the girls’ race, Bleckley County dominated by taking the top three spots and six of the top eight, winning the team title with 17 points. South Effingham placed second with 66 points, and Deerfield-Windsor finished third with 95 points.

Hatcher led the Lady Knights with an 11th-place finish, followed by Sophie Logan (18th), Molly Fuller (24th), Emily Rutledge (26th), and Maggie Collins (28th).

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