Marist’s Little, Denmark’s Ashley Named Powerade All-Metro Runners of the Year

ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 17, 2021 - Having never placed lower than 2nd in any race this season and winning the GHSA Class 4A State Championship, Marist School sophomore Ruby Little was awarded the Runner of the Year award at Wednesday's Powerade All-Metro High School Cross Country Banquet. Little ran a season's best of 17:49 at the adidas XC Challenge in North Carolina this fall. It was the second fastest time of the season by a Georgia High School runner. At the State Championship, Little led the Marist War Eagles to the team title where they placed five runners in the top seven.

"I am just so grateful for every opportunity and all the hard work my team put into each practice," said Little. "I'm thankful for my family and everything they have poured into me."

Other athletes named to the Powerade All-Metro Girls First Team include Caroline Hood (Sophomore, Pace Academy), Samantha McGarity (Sophomore, Harrison High School), Grace Von Biberstein (Junior, St. Pius X), Carmel Yonas (Junior, South Forsyth High School), Clara Heppner (Junior, North Atlanta High School) and Cara Joyce (Senior, Atlanta International School). Of the 42 athletes honored at the banquet, Joyce was the only one named to all the All-Metro Team all four years of her high school career. She will run for Yale next fall.

Ethan Ashley, a senior at Denmark High School was the Runner of the Year on the Boys Team. His season's best time of 15:01 at the Coach Wood Invitational was the fastest time in the state this year. He was undefeated in 2021. Ashley's wins included the GHSA 7A Championship in which Denmark took third in the team competition.

"I was super blessed to be able to put in a lot of good work with the guys," said Ashley. "This was a really great way to end my senior year."

Also on the Powerade All-Metro Boys First Team is Nathan Solomon (Senior, Shiloh High School), Christian Gonzalez (Senior, Decatur High School), Bryson Gates (Senior, Creekview High School), Edward Blaha (Senior, Pace Academy), James May (Senior, Marietta High School), Matthew Fernando (Senior, Westminster School).

The Powerade All-Metro Cross Country Team was announced earlier this month and included athletes from 25 schools representing six area counties. Selections are based on season-wide performances, head-to-head competition and time at the State Meet. Team placements are determined by a vote by local coaches and the general public.

At the banquet held in midtown Atlanta, State Championship-winning coaches were honored. Coach Stephen Jayaraj of Holy Innocents' Episcopal School and Scott Neal of the Tallulah Falls School were awarded the Coach's Dedication Award, an honor bestowed for coaches with outstanding career achievements and contributions to the sport of cross country.

The Powerade All-Metro Cross Country Banquet is Atlanta Track Club's oldest tradition, held annually since 1965.

Boys First Team

Athlete Name

School

ETHAN ASHLEY

Denmark High School

NATHAN SOLOMON

Shiloh High School

CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ

Decatur High School

BRYSON GATES

Creekview High School

EDWARD BLAHA

Pace Academy

JAMES MAY

Marietta High School

MATTHEW FERNANDO

Westminster School

Girls First Team

Athlete Name

School

RUBY LITTLE

Marist School

CAROLINE HOOD

Pace Academy

SAMANTHA MCGARITY

Harrison High School

GRACE VON BIBERSTEIN

St. Pius X

CARMEL YONAS

South Forsyth High School

CLARA HEPPNER

North Atlanta High School

CARA JOYCE

Atlanta International School

Boys Second Team

ALEX ARRAMBIDE

East Forsyth High School

WILLIAM CARLTON

Decatur High School

CADEN HALL

Parkview High School

ETHAN NORDMAN

Mill Creek High School

BENJAMIN ROTHERING

Blessed Trinity Catholic School

JOEY SANDEL

Johnson Ferry Christian Academy

JOE SAPONE

Holy Innocents' Episcopal School

Girls Second Team

ADDISON ADAIR

Pope High School

ELLIE BREWER

Hebron Christian Academy

KATELYNN DOLLAR

Lyndon Academy

EMMA GEANEY

Parkview High School

KATIE HAMFELDT

Blessed Trinity High School

JAMIE MARLOWE

Midtown High School

CATHERINE TOWNSEND

North Atlanta High School

Boys Third Team

TRENT BELL

West Forsyth High School

ZACK BURKE

Blessed Trinity Catholic School

PEYTON GOLDEN

Whitefield Academy

TOMMY LATHAM

Marist School

RYAN MCKEE

Kennesaw Mountain High School

NATE VERSKA

South Forsyth High School

SAGE WALKER

Druid Hills High School

Girls Third Team

LAURA ARENTH

Pace Academy

LOREL GOLDEN

Pope High School

JOHNA GRISIK

Marist School

NICOLE PIZZO

Marist School

KELLY ANNE SUTTERFIELD

Blessed Trinity Catholic School

PALMER WALSTAD

Westminster School

ISABEL YONAS

South Forsyth High School

Photos by Paul Ward