First team – boys
Kasib Abdullah, Houston County
Jacob Grubb, Warner Robins
Karl Burkhardt, Warner Robins
Ryan Dimes, Warner Robins
Billy Colbert, Perry
Jesse Yeomans, Perry (Patriot Runner of the Year)
Second team - boys
Matt Peterman, Perry
Will Walton, Westfield
First team – girls
Megan Breitbach, Houston County (Patriot Runner of the Year)
Caroline Mauldin, Warner Robins
Elizabeth Lambert, Northside
Morgan Collins, Perry
Mallory Eubanks, Westfield
Second team – girls
Victoria Baker, Warner Robins
Jaichelle Thomas, Warner Robins
Elizabeth Campbell, Westfield
First team – boys
Kasib Abdullah
School: Houston County
Year: Senior
Position: Bears’ lead male runner
Impact: Finished 75th – out of 226 runners - at the AAAAA state cross country meet held in Carrolton. His best time for the season was 16:44.7 (Lee County Invitational).
“Kasib Abdullah is a mature man of stamina and stability,” said Head Coach Pat Rouse. “His perfection driven ambition speaks volumes above measure. He leads by example in all areas of his training, and this has been a most productive connector for the cross country boys and girls teams.
Rouse added that Abdullah’s leadership is “passionate and joyful, always in compliance with structure and organization. His outstanding work ethics are embraced by his team and is paving his path of life way beyond the fields of competition.”
Miscellaneous: Finished second at the All-County meet, second All-Region, Region 1-AAAAA, “runner of the week” on various occasions and he has competed in several GHSA 3200 meter runs. Sustains a GPA of 88.3 ranking him 98th out of a class of 461 students. “The words of recommendation can’t match the wisdom, honor, respect, loyalty and dedication that validate Kasib Abdullah as the ‘Best of the Best’ in the state of Georgia,” Rouse said.
She added that Abdullah is a young man of honor, noted for the uniforms and medals he wears.
“You may see him standing erect in blue or striding forward in black and white,” she said. “As an AFJROTC Cadet Major and Support Squadron Commander, Kasib’s leadership is noted, respected, and applauded as he is viewed marching before various performances and competitions. Great personal training, dedication, and the love for competition posted the following results.”
Coaches Corner: “Kasib is a well-rounded young man that knows where he’s been, where he’s headed and what it takes to achieve his desired destination. His passion for running spreads among the team embracing our ‘family’ concept.”
Jacob Grubb
School: Warner Robins
Year: Senior
Position: Demons’ lead male runner
Impact: He had a great senior year, said Warner Robins Head Coach David Erpelding. “He was in the top 10 individually all season,” Erpelding said. His best time of the season was a 16:30.
“Jacob was the captain this year and he led more by actions than words,” said Erpelding. “He wanted to see the team succeed as well as himself.”
Miscellaneous: Was the Houston County Runner of the Year at the Houston County Championships. He was first team All-Region and was also first team All-County.
Coach’s Corner: “He had a very good work ethic and it showed in practices and in the meets. He will be sorely missed next year and but made his mark while at Warner Robins.”
Karl Burkhardt
School: Warner Robins
Year: Senior
Position: Demons’ second or third runner
Impact: “Karl was one of the reasons we did so well in the big meets,” Erpelding said. “He was always at the top finishing no lower than 20th in most of the meets.” His best time this year was 17:31.
Miscellaneous: Was first team All-County and All-Region. “He and Ryan (Dimes) are the first two runners at Warner Robins to make All-County and All-Region four straight years, said Erpelding.
Coach’s Corner: “Karl definitely made his mark over the last four years at Warner Robins High School. He had a great work ethic and tries to get everyone to see the big picture as far as being a team. He will be sorely missed but had a great four years at Warner Robins.”
Ryan Dimes
School: Warner Robins
Year: Senior
Position: Demons’ second or third runner
Impact: Always in the top 20 all season, Erpelding said. His best time of the year was a 17:23.
Miscellaneous: Was first team All-County and All-Region. He and Karl are the first two runners at Warner Robins to make All-County and All-Region four straight years, Erpelding repeated.
Coach’s corner: “Ryan always wanted to see the team succeed and always did his part in order for it to happen. He really will be sorely missed for what he added to the cross country program at Warner Robins High School.”
Jesse Yeomans
School: Perry
Year: Senior
Impact: Jesse is one of our three hardest workers, said Perry Head Coach Brett. “He is very humble but very determined. We were comfortable going into every race because we knew Jesse would finish close to the top.” He finished 17th in the state, Hardy said, against tough competition. (That is) pretty good.”
“Jesse always came to work,” he added. “He finished every workout, never complained, and set the tone for our top runners. His work ethic pushes others to get better.”
Miscellaneous: Was Region 1-AAA champion two years in a row.
Coach’s Corner: “(It’s) hard to find many like Jesse. He filled up water coolers, carried equipment, and acted like he was just happy to be on the team. If you didn’t know him, you wouldn’t know how outstanding he is.”
Billy Colbert
School: Perry
Year: Senior
Impact: Billy trains hard each and every day, Hardy said. “For three years, he has been our number one or number two runner. In all of our workouts, he was going to be in the front and let people know he came to work. He is a vocal leader that encourages everyone to be better.”
Hardy added he believed the sign of a good leader was the ability to recognize his strengths and do what was necessary to get the job done. “Billy accepted his role on the team and never tried to do too much,” Hardy said. “He was happy for every team victory we had no matter what kind of race he ran.”
Miscellaneous: Was Region 1-AAA Runner-up two years in a row.
Coach’s Corner: “Most people couldn’t do what Billy does. He always finds time to run and get his class work done. Billy holds down a job at Kroger, takes advanced placement classes, and helps look after his eight siblings. His training never suffers. In the offseason, he will run at 11 at night or 5 in the morning. His busy life never interferes with his training.”
Second team – boys
Matt Peterman
School: Perry
Year: Junior
Impact: His determination has impacted our whole team, Hardy said. “When he joined the team last year, I never thought he would be our number three runner. His first three-mile run at practice took almost 40 minutes. He got hooked and started training hard.” The final result: 17 minutes for the 5K.
“Matt’s intensity and progress has opened the eyes of many of his teammates. I don’t know how many times this year I have heard ‘I am going to train like Matt. Maybe if I do that, I will get the same results.’”
Coach’s Corner: “I am fortunate to coach such good runners. Matt’s success is built on hard work. He is driven on and off the course. He is a tremendous student that doesn’t back down from any class. He approaches running the same way.”
Will Walton
School: Westfield
Year: Senior
Position: Hornets’ number four or five runner
Impact: Has finished strong in many key races to help boost the team to victory, said Westfield Head Coach Wendy Bryan
“’Great’ personality traits that lift the team through laughter and camaraderie.”
Miscellaneous: Worked through significant physical difficulty this year to help the boys’ team through the season, Bryan said.
Coach’s Corner: “(He’s a) straight A student, funny and intelligent.”
First team – girls
Megan Breitbach
School: Houston County
Year: Senior
Position: Lady Bears’ lead female runner
Impact: County champion – victorious by more than a minute over the second place runner. Finished eighth in the AAAAA State Cross Country meet held in Carrolton. Her best time for this season was 18:26.3 (Lee County Invitational).
“Megan Breitbach is a young lady of ambition,” Rouse said. “She strives for excellence in all that she does. She spreads her knowledge and abilities to all those that are willing to listen, work hard, and perform dedication to productive work ethics. She is a team player that shows great leadership ability on and off the course.
Megan’s loving/concerned disposition and honesty are attributes that she possesses.
Miscellaneous: Her character, excellent work ethics, and academic promise, Rouse said, has allowed her to rise to the top of her class. She sustains a GPA of 91.22 as she stands in the rank of 45/461 students. “I offer my enthusiastic recommendation and assure that Megan Breitbach is one of the ‘Best of the Best’ in the state of Georgia,” said Rouse. “Megan Breitbach is a name that definitely paves a path across miles, over hills, around corners, and onto the tracks. You can look to applaud her one day in the near future crossing the lines of a competitive marathon.
“Her 2008 and 2009 accomplishments are just the starting striders for what is yet to come. Great work ethics, determination, and self-motivation.” 2008 accolades included: Eighth place in GHSA 3200m run (11:37); first place female in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure; first place female in the Madison Santa Stroll 5k race and she also competed in the NIKE HOOD to Coast Relay in Oregon.
2009 accolades included: First place female in the Cherry Blossom 15k race, Macon; first place female in Perry Dogwood 5K; 2nd place in State Junior Olympic 3000m race (11:17); first place in Regional Junior Olympic 3000m race (11:04) and seventh place in the National Junior Olympic 3000m race (11:07).
Coach’s corner: “Megan has been an inspiration to the team, especially this year. Her technical and knowledge based work ethic rolled onto the team, which enhanced the ‘family’ concept that we strive for. Her passion for running enhanced the leadership on our team as team members embraced her.”
Caroline Mauldin
School: Warner Robins
Year: Junior
Position: Demonettes’ number one runner
Impact: She was always among the top five runners in all the races that she competed in during the season, said Erpelding. Her best time of the year was a 20: 49.
Miscellaneous: She earned All-County and All-Region honors for the third straight year. She was also the girl’s team captain.
Coach’s Corner: “She had been sick for the middle part of the season and at the end but still did well during the meets she was able to compete in this fall. She should have a great senior year.”
Elizabeth Lambert
School: Northside
Year: Senior
Position: Lady Eagles’ number one runner
Impact: Placed third in the county meet and made the All-Houston team. She was the runner of the week for Region 5-A, week number seven, Head Coach Glenda Byrd said. “She was the leader and captain of the team,” said Byrd. “She inspired the team by working hard during practice at competing at the meets.”
Miscellaneous: She received the Runner of the Year award for Northside and she also holds the region and county record for the Lady Eagles.
Coach’s Corner: “Elizabeth will be missed dearly from NHS cross country. She was a dedicated runner and great competitor. I really enjoyed having her on the team for four years.”
Morgan Collins
School: Perry
Year: Senior
Impact: Morgan has been steady for two years, Hardy said. “We always knew what we would get from her. Her greatest impact is on the younger runners. Morgan never gives in if it’s 100 degrees or 30 degrees outside. I think our younger runners look at her and gain strength from her work ethic.
“She’s a) very quiet leader,” he added. “She always did a longer run or workout than I required for the girls. She is very motivated to achieve.”
Coach’s Corner: “I recruited Morgan out of one of my PE classes because she ran a mile without stopping. She had never participated in any sports. She was a joy to coach and be around. I gain strength from watching her overachieve.”
Mallory Eubanks
School: Westfield
Year: Senior
Position: Lady Hornets’ number three or four runner
Impact: Had a tremendous impact on the team for five years, Bryan said. “(She’s a) very driven athlete; self-motivated.
“One of the most dedicated athletes that I have ever had the privilege of coaching. Mallory is an inspirational leader and can be called on to give pep talks, team prayers, etc.”
Miscellaneous: Region Runner-up for two years, ’07, ’08.
Coach’s Corner: “Straight A student. Well known to students and faculty alike. Personable and compassionate.”
Second team - girls
Victoria Baker
School: Warner Robins
Year: Freshman
Position: Demonettes’ second or third runner most of the season.
Impact: She was in the top 20 most of the season. Her best time of the year was a 22:04. She was in the top 10 at county and region, said Erpelding.
Coach’s Corner: “She worked hard at practice and showed the potential to have a great year next fall.”
Jaichelle Thomas
School: Warner Robins
Year: Sophomore
Position: Demonettes’ number three or four runner most of the season
Impact: She had some top finishes at county, region and state, said Erpelding.
Coach’s Corner: “She worked hard to get better as the season progressed and should have a great year next year.”
Elizabeth Campbell
School: Westfield
Year: Senior
Position: Lady Hornets’ number five or six runner
Impact: Has finished strong in many key races to help boost the team to victory, Bryan said. “Quiet leadership. Leads by example. ‘Very’ hard work ethic. Does not shy away from pushing other team members to perform at their best.”
Miscellaneous: A straight A student.
Coach’s Corner: “Known as the ‘Coach’s Daughter’ because others say her personality and wit match up with mine. Very well liked and respected.”
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