Clarkston’s Bineyam Tumbo clocked the fastest time to lead the Angoras to a season opening victory at Druid Hills Middle School Course. (Photo by Mark Brock)

The two-time defending state champion Clarkston Angoras got off to a quick start in the opening meet of the DeKalb County season putting six runners in the Top 10 finishers on the way to a 16-55 win over Lakeside at Druid Hills Middle School this week.

Clarkston swept the top four spots in the race with three runners breaking the 18 minute barrier led by senior Bineyam Tumbo who finished in a time of 17:35.84.

He was followed in order by Bosco Hakuzinana (17:40.61) and sophomores Rukundo Uwimana (17:47.43) and Thomas Weldemichal (18:14.14).

Senior Suheib Mohamed (18:25.00) and sophomore Ngabo Daniel (18:36.11) were sixth and eighth, respectively, to join the top four Angoras in the Top 10.

Second place Lakeside was led by junior Jake Tubesing (18:29.62) in seventh and senior Rigo Carvajal (18:53.17) in ninth.

Third place Druid Hills was led by senior Ermias Tewolde (18:15.84) in fifth and sophomore Ian Shunk (18:55.72) in 10th.

Lakeside won the first girls’ competition of the day by placing seven runners in the Top 10 led by race winner senior Morgan Mahalis (21:24.89) as the Lady Vikings won 24-41 over Druid Hills.

Sophomore Emma Hanson (23:23.57) was fourth, freshman Lena Ayoub (23:25.37) was fifth and junior Brittany Andrieni (24:00.54) was sixth.

Sophomore Abbie Hunter (24:29.72) along with freshmen Margaret Racine (24:31.54) and Grace Ellet (24:44.17) finished eighth through 10th, respectively, for Lakeside.

Druid Hills took the other three spots in the Top 10 led by junior Lisa Medford in second (22:58.35) and senior Rachel Juieng (23:17.62) in third. Junior Lydia Medford grabbed the seventh place finish in 24:25.37.

Arabia Mountain placed five runners in the Top 10 to capture the second varsity boy’s race at Druid Hills 31-61 over Lithonia.

Lakeside senior Morgan Mahalis cruised to a win in the cross country girls’ season opener at Druid Hill Middle. (Photo by Mark Brock)

Malik Wright (21:26.21) was the first Ram to cross the line and the first of four consecutive teammates as he finished fourth overall followed in order by sophomore Ridge Turner (22:19.41), junior Sam Garrett (22:32.76) and sophomore Thomas Douglas (22:55.15).

Senior Darius Giles gave the Rams five runners in the Top 10 as he took ninth in 23:29.69.

Towers senior Raymond Rogers grabbed the medalist honors with a time of 19:45.47 and was followed in second and third by Southwest DeKalb’s junior Anthony Parker (19:49.62) and sophomore Nakai Jack (20:44.01).

Second place Lithonia was led by Top 10 finishes from junior Ziren Alexander (22:58.69) in eighth and sophomore Brison Rockcliffe (23:31.17) in 10th.

Sophomore Lanee Edwards led a group of six Southwest DeKalb Lady Panthers to finish in the Top 10 by taking the top spot with a time of 24:28.00 as the group led their squad to a 24-37 win over Arabia Mountain.

Southwest also took places four through six with three more sophomores coming across in order led by Jamarria Williams (27:02.44), Raven Thurman (27:42.02) and Yaria Sanders (27:53.65).

Another sophomore Kennedy Mormon was eighth in 28:36.71 while junior Raekwon Bostic was 10th in 30:08.47.

Arabia Mountain placed three runners in the Top 10 to make the second place finish led by Alyssa McGriff (26:09.50) and Ke’Andrea Middlebrooks (26:38.87) finishing second and third while Sydni Rush was seventh in 28:23.86.

Columbia’s Franol Hulufe was ninth overall in 28:55.70.