ACA Boys and Girls Finish First at Sectional Meet

The Boy’s squad led by Conor Rector (1st) and Tanner Kelley (3rd) ran the 2nd fastest team time in it’s history (1:35:41). ACA (36 points) won a tight race ahead of Westminster School at Oak Mountain (41), Holy Spirit (61) and Mobile Christian (85). Coach Tiller praised the competitiveness of the guys squad. “Both Westminster and Holy Spirit have great squads. We knew that it would be a tough fight. We have stressed the importance of the number 4-5 spots. Austin Marchant, normally our number 4 runner, stepped it up and ran 3rd in a time of 19:26. Eric Tiller had another solid race in 19:35. Lyons PR of 20:30 wrapped up the scoring for ACA.” Others competing for the Patriots - Patrick Farley (17th/21:05), Chase Boyles (21st/21:38), Hill Brakefield (23rd/22:01), Charles Hardin (31st/23:50), and Owen Carpenter (35th/25:03).

The Girl’s team won their 3rd consecutive Sectional title. Led by Sara Gibson (3rd in 21:53), the Lady Pat’s placed 8 athletes in the top 12 positions. Placing 4th overall was 7th grader Kaitlin York running in her first Sectional meet. Rachel Mills, last weeks winner at the Hoover Invitational, had some challenges due to dehydration, but still finished 6th overall in a time of 22:39. Tiller said “Mills is such a special athlete. She showed a lot of guts and determination. As a Senior, she does such a great job leading by example. Other athletes would have not finished the race but she worked her way through it. She will be missed next year.” Runners 4-6 (Chloe Rector 23:22, Morgan Avery 23:25, and Carolyn Barnett 23:34) kept the Girls team undefeated on their home course this season. “The team’s success will be based on how well they run. Every Championship contending team has 1-2 great runners, few have strong 4-6 as we do. We are very fortunate.”

ACA Ladys Pats Win ACA Invitational, Boys Finish Second

Brandon Cochrane of Northridge set a course record in a time of 17:04. Gabe Mitchell of Providence Christian held the old record of 17:06 set in 2007. Junior Conor Rector led ACA for the 7th consecutive meet with a time of 17:50. Top 5 for ACA was Rector, Tanner Kelley (10th/19:04), Eric Tiller (15th/19:29), Austin Marchant (16th/19:29), and Patrick Farley (24th/20:34). Setting PRs were Hill Brakefield (34th/21:38), Owen Carpenter (55th/23:06), Fred Mobley (61st/24:17), and Jordan Coleman (65th/24:41). Northridge finished 1st in the Boys race and ACA finished 2nd in front of 1A/2A rival Westminster School at Oak Mountain (3rd).

The weather conditions were perfect for racing – overcast and 53 degrees. The course was a little soft and muddy due to all the rain at the park over the last several weeks.

The next home meet for ACA is at the 1A/2A Sectionals on November 7. The Patriots travel to compete at the Hoover Invitational on Thursday, October 29.

Illnesses Play a Part in XC Performance

Despite the challenges, the Patriot’s top Boy runner, Conor Rector, set a school record by finishing the race in 18:15. Coach Tiller said that he was proud of Conor. “This is Conor’s first year to run Cross Country. Each race he gains more knowledge and experience. Conor and the rest of the team will only get better as the season progresses.” ACA hosts the TCBY Invitational at Sokol Park on September 26.

Mills and Rector Lead Squads to Big Finish at Chickasaw Trails

Under a warm sun, Rachel Mills ran an outstanding 21:29 to finish 9th. Additional Girl runners earning honors was Sara Gibson, Kaitlin York, and Chloe Rector. The Girls squad finished 7th out of 25 in this 1A-4A race. Rounding out the scoring was Carolyn Barnett in 24:32.

Conor Rector, running his first 5K for ACA finished 15th and set an ACA school record in a time of 18:39. Tanner Kelley finished just shy of a PR in 17th. Junior Eric Tiller shows great improvement in running a 19:54 to finish 39th. Forth for ACA was Patrick Farley and fifth was Hill Brakefield.

Lady Pats Win Cross Country Meet

The American Christian Academy Lady Patriots cross country team picked up where it left off when they won a state championship last season, winning the ACA Trail Run at Sokol Park on Saturday.

The Lady Patriots beat its nearest competitor by 19 points, finishing with 40 points. Lamp placed second with 59 points and Walker was third with 118.

Senior Rachel Mills led the team, finishing second with a time of 17:52.44, while teammates Sara Gibson, Kaitlin York, Chloe Rector and Morgan Avery finished eighth through 11th, respectively.

Hillcrest sophomore Analisa Patrick won the race with a time of 16:47.27.

ACA coach Charles Tiller said the team is talented enough to win a third-straight state championship if it catches a few breaks.

“We’re looking fairly strong, although a little bit short on the depth that we’ve had on previous teams,” he said. “In the past we’ve had eight or nine fairly decent runners. We’ve got six or seven with experience this year. Now with illnessess and injuries plays a more significant impact on how the team does.

“We ran well this past Saturday. Overall, we’re pretty strong.”

Other West Alabama top 30 finishers include:

Kathryn McCracken (Tuscaloosa County, 14)
Carolyn Barnett (ACA, 15)
Shaquela Leatherwood (Northridge, 17)
Claire Harper (Holy Spirit, 18)
Anna Kincaid (Holy Spirit, 19)
Hannah Barnett (Northridge, 20)
Kelsey McNeil (Northridge, 21)
Caroline Meintzer (Paul W. Bryant, 23)
Maggie Zeanah (Paul W. Bryant, 25)
Olivia Goldsby (ACA, 29)
Mary Li (Tuscaloosa County, 30)

The ACA boys team had a strong finish, placing third with two of its runners, Conor Rector and Tanner Kelley finishing first and second, respectively.

ACA Girls Win 2nd at State 1A Track Championships!!