SIMPSONVILLE – The Liberty High School Boys Cross County team defeated Broome, Woodruff and 10 other teams Saturday at Simpsonville’s Heritage Park to win the title of the AA Upper State Champions. Liberty is now ranked No. 2 in the South Carolina AA division and seventeenth overall out of 165 teams in the state.

The Red Devils had a total of 37 points, followed by Broome with 57 and Woodruff with 69.

Jake Goodnough finished first for Liberty and third overall. His time was 17:08 followed closely by Dakota Stewart at 17:09. Stewart set a personal record for himself and finished fourth. Liberty’s Karahn Washington (17:29) and Craig Dillard (17:30) finished seventh and eighth both finishing with personal records. Logan Gibson set a personal record with a time of 18:07 and finished fifteenth overall. Wesley Wells finished with 18:58, Eric Baldwin with 19:20 and Dalton Kirby with 19:31.

Each team is allowed seven runners and one alternate at the State meet. Liberty’s Goodnough, Stewart, Washington, Dillard, Gibson, Wells and Baldwin will compete in the championship with Dalton Kirby as an alternate in the State meet in Columbia on Saturday, Nov. 7. All three teams will compete with Bishop England for the opportunity to be state champions.

“The Liberty boys ran with heart, determination and speed this year,” Coach Mike Riggins said. “I am so proud of them, and I am excited for the State meet.”

Miranda Watkins qualified individually for State placing in the top 45. She ran an all-time personal record of 22:46.

The State Championship will be held at The Sandhills course located off Clemson Road in Columbia. Admission is $5 per carload. The Sandhills is located at 900 Clemson Road off of US 1. Take I-20 East to Clemson Road. The girls race will begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by the boys race at 10 a.m. Awards will be given out at 10:30 a.m.