We let the public determine the Last Finalist for BLITZ XC Runner of the Year. After 2,272 votes poured in for the boys vote, it was Dawson County’s Tyler Tangel who took the most (1,752 votes). For the girls, 19,729 total votes were logged, and Tallulah Falls’ Sara Bailey had 11,116 to win. The 7 finalists now up for BLITZ Boys Runner of the Year are: Brock Brush, Ben Davis, Pepper Davis, Bobby Fessler, Ben Sherrill, Tyler Tangel and Wyatt Windham. For the girls, the 7 finalists are: Sara Bailey, Nealeigh Broadwell, Audrey Hotard, Lola Hunter, Anna LeCave, Kiley Powell, and Ermay Vazquez.

What’s Next? The finalists will NOT be open for public voting. Rather, our internal panel made up of media members, officials, etc will vote Heisman-style to determine the BLITZ Player of the Year.

GIRLS RUNNER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

Sara Bailey – Tallulah Falls SO

Photo by Crump Photo

Region 8-A DI 12th (24:18); 1A DI State 55th (24:35)

Nealeigh Broadwell – White County SR

Photo by Atlanta Track Club / Ga Milesplit

Region 7-AAA Champion (20:01); 3A State Champion (20:35)

Audrey Hotard – Habersham Central SO

Photo by Habersham Central HS / Ric Wallace

Region 8-AAAAAA Champion (19:05); 6A State 21st (21:08)

Lola Hunter – Union County FR

Photo by Union County XC

Region 8-AA 3rd (20:36); 2A State 8th (20:58)

Anna LeCave – Dawson County JR

Photo by Wendy McGinnis

Region 7-AAA 6th (20:53); 3A State 15th (21:49)

Kiley Powell – Jefferson JR

Photo by Jefferson XC

Region 8-AAAAA Runner-Up (21:20); 5A State 52nd (23:14)

Ermay Vazquez – Commerce SR

Photo by Thomas Pee / Commerce XC

Region 8-A DI Runner-Up (21:21); 1A DI State 22nd (22:19)

BOYS RUNNER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

Brock Brush – Jefferson SO

Region 8-AAAAA 10th (17:08); 5A State 27th (18:03)

Ben Davis – Jefferson JR

Photo by Alex Brust

Region 8-AAAAA 3rd (16:31); 5A State 29th (18:06)

Pepper Davis – Banks County JR

Photo by Jeremy Steinacher

Region 8-AA Runner-Up (17:15); 2A State 3rd (17:28)

Bobby Fessler – Stephens County SR

Photo by Stephens County XC

Region 8-AAA 5th (16:50); 3A State 12th (17:45)

Ben Sherrill – Lumpkin County JR

Photo by Mark Turner / White County News

Region 7-AAA Runner-Up (16:44); 3A State 6th (17:14)

Tyler Tangel – Dawson County JR

Photo submitted

Region 7-AAA 8th (17:52); 3A State 31st (18:31)

Wyatt Windham – Lumpkin County SO

Photo by Brad Sherrill

Region 7-AAA 4th (17:11); 3A State 4th (17:13)

LAST FINALIST VOTE RESULTS – GIRLS

LAST FINALIST VOTE RESULTS – BOYS