Union County’s Lola Hunter proved time and again she was one of the top runners in the state. This year, the ultimate result is taking the BLITZ XC Runner of the Year honors.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

State 3rd Place (20:54)
Region Champion (19:50)
Sectionals Champion (19:46)
PR (19:16)
8 Top-5s
2 1st-Place Runs

Hunter placed 3rd in the GHSA State 2A race with a 20:54, and was the Region 6-AA Champion (19:50), Sectionals Champion (19:46), and set a new PR of 19:16. She had 8 top-5 finishes and 2 1st-place runs. The junior also earned a spot at the prestigious Foot Locker South Regional, placing 12th.

VOTING RESULTS

1. Lola Hunter – 62 pts (8 1st-place votes)
2. Audrey Hotard – 57.5 pts (7)
3. Ansley Moore – 45.5 pts (2)
4. Julie Black – 32 pts (1)
5. Hayden Hand – 15.5 pts (1)
6. Keli George – 15.5 pts

Voting included our 19-person panel made up of sports reporters, writers, video producers, former coaches, players, GHSA officials, and sports experts. The voting is Heisman-style, with the following points system:
1st place votes: 5 pts; 2nd: 3 pts; 3rd: 2 pts; 4th: 1 pts; 5th-6th: 0.5 pts; 7th-8th 0.25 pts

Hunter secured 8 1st-place tallies, while reigning BLITZ ROY Audrey Hotard was right behind her with 7. It was a close race for sure, and interesting enough, nearly every girl grabbed a 1st-place vote.

HISTORY OF GIRLS XC ROY

• 2024 – Lola Hunter – Union County JR
• 2023 – Audrey Hotard – Habersham Central JR
• 2022 – Nealeigh Broadwell – White SR
• 2021 – Katherine Law – Jefferson SR
• 2020 – Katherine Law – Jefferson JR
• 2019 – Zoe Sanchez – Union SR
• 2018 – Zoe Sanchez – Union JR
• 2017 – Frankie Muldoon – Dawson JR
• 2016 – Frankie Muldoon – Dawson SO
• 2015 – Jenna Gearing – White SR
• 2014 – Jenna Gearing – White JR
• 2013 – Jenna Gearing – White SO
• 2012 – Jenna Gearing – White FR
• 2011 – Madalyn Walters – Dawson SR
• 2010 – Madalyn Walters – Dawson JR
• 2009 – Katie Bohannon – Habersham Central JR

Hunter is the first Union County runner since 2018-19 to win the award, following the footsteps of Zoe Sanchez. She’s the 8th junior to win it – the most of any classification that seems to claim the honors.

WHO WILL WIN IT NEXT YEAR?