CROSS COUNTRY NOTES: Westminster and Walton Dominate

Traditionally a lightning-fast race, the Asics Invitational at the McIntosh Nature Preserve always boasts impressive fields loaded with runners itching to clock personal bests. Nobody did that more emphatically than Peachtree Ridge junior Josh Brickell in the boys Championship division last Saturday. Brickell turned in a time of 14:59.02 as the Lions finished runner-up in the team competition. Lakeside-Evans took home the winner’s trophy with a low score of 71 points, getting a second-place performance from Sid Vaughn (15:25) and a fourth-place showing from Chase Fowers (15:46). … Westminster triumphed in the girls Championship race, defeating a host of Class AAAAA competition that included runner-up Peachtree Ridge and third-place North Gwinnett. Sahara Fletcher (third in 18:17) and Michelle Sullivan (ninth in 19:09) led four Wildcats in the top 16 of the race. A thrilling battle for top individual honors resulted in Lakeside-Evans’ Sarah Bowles edging Johns Creek’s Allie Buchalski by one one-hundreth of a second, 18:10.48 to 18:10.49. … Running on their home course, the Walton boys dominated an 18-team field at last Saturday’s Cobb County Championships. The Raiders had four competitors in the top six overall, including winner Brian Sullivan in 16:06. Individual runner-up Patrick Fleming of Pope ran a 16:13, leading the Greyhounds to second place. … Harrison captured the Cobb title on the girls side behind Kaylee Isaacs’ runner-up showing with a time of 18:54. Lassiter boasted champion Marcie Merriman (18:40) and third-place finisher Morgan Ainslie (18:59). … One of the season’s most prestigious meets, the Coach Wood Invitational, is on this weekend’s schedule. Host Mill Creek will welcome an outstanding field that includes Brookwood, Marist, Peachtree Ridge, Pope and St. Pius X.