MainStreetNewsSports

Caitlin Connell still has several months left in her high school academic and athletic careers, but the Winder-Barrow High School senior has already made a decision about her future.

Connell has made a verbal committment to attend North Georgia College & State Univeristy on a cross country scholarship. The WBHS standout, who helped the Lady Bulldoggs to four consecutive region championships, was recently named the top female runner for Northeast Georgia for the 2012 season.

“I think North Georgia is a great fit for Caitlin,” WBHS cross country coach Michael Lofton said. “She will go in and be in the middle of the mix. That will push her to be a more competitive collegiate runner.” [Full Story »] 

Michael Lofton has been a mentor to Caitlin Connell for numerous years.

Lofton coached Connell in middle school and when the athlete advanced to high school, her coach made the move as well. The two were recognized for their success in the cross country arena recently as Connell was named the top female runner in Northeast Georgia for 2012 while Lofton was named one of the Coaches of the Year.

“For me, I was surprised by my honor,” Lofton said. “I am a champion for our kids. I will always do what I can to get them the recognition they deserve.” [Full Story »] 

The Winder-Barrow High School Lady Bulldogg cross country team capped another successful season with a sixth-place state finish.

The Lady Bulldoggs, coached by Amanda Partee-Manders, were once again led by senior Caitlin Connell, who was coming off an individual region championship.

Connell was fifth overall at the AAAAA state race.

“The state course was a bear,” Partee-Manders said. “The girls knew that they were going to have to fight. Just to make it to state is a huge accomplishment and we wanted to leave nothing out there in terms of effort.” [Full Story »] 

The Winder-Barrow High School Lady Bulldoggs cross country team will look to earn a fourth consecutive region championship this week.

The WBHS runners will compete at the Region 8-AAAAA meet Thursday at the International Horse Park in Conyers. The Lady Bulldoggs have won the last three region titles and will aim for a fourth.

"Region is here and we are prepared physically," said Lady Bulldogg coach Amanda-Partee Manders. "Now it's a matter of getting out there and showing that we are prepared mentally as well. This is what we've been training for." [Full Story »] 

The Winder-Barrow High School cross country teams have done it again.

Both the Bulldoggs and Lady Bulldoggs captured first place at the WBHS Invitational held Saturday morning at Bramlett Elementary School. Twenty-four schools were represented.

“It turned out to be a great day,” said WBHS boys coach Michael Lofton. “It was a fun atmosphere and a fun event.” [Full Story »] 

The Winder-Barrow High School cross country teams are showing they have the potential to have an extremely successful 2012 season.

Both the Bulldoggs and Lady Bulldoggs won their divisions Saturday at the Aubrea Gunderson Invitational, held at the International Horse Park in Conyers. The event, which features all of the teams in Winder-Barrow’s region, was viewed as a preview of the upcoming 8-AAAAA meet.

“We were very pleased with the outcome,” said WBHS coach Michael Lofton. “It was a huge meet with several races. We had several personal and season bests established.” [Full Story »] 

The Winder-Barrow High School cross country runners were at their personal best again Saturday.

Competing in the Battle of Atlanta, the Lady Bulldoggs were fifth overall while the WBHS boys were eighth. Caitlin Connell paced the WBHS girls finishing eighth overall with a time of 20:27, a season best. William Wright was the first runner to complete the course for the boys in 17:31.

“It was another strong performance,” said coach Michael Lofton. “I thought we would finish higher than it had been predicted, but both of our teams exceeded my predictions.” [Full Story »] 

After a week’s break from competing, the Winder-Barrow High School cross country teams will be back in action this weekend.

The Bulldoggs and Lady Bulldoggs will travel to McDonough for the Battle of Atlanta event. The varsity boys will race at 8 a.m. followed by the varsity girls at 9 a.m. Junior varsity races will follow.

“There will be a very strong field of runners,” said WBHS coach Michael Lofton. “Some of the top schools in the state will be there. We are hoping for a top 10 finish.” [Full Story »] 

The Winder-Barrow High School Lady Bulldogg cross country runners continued their quality start to the 2012 season Saturday by taking first place at the Mountain Invitational in Clarkesville.

WBHS set a course record with 34 team points. Caitlin Connell paced the Lady Bulldoggs by being the second runner to complete the course. The WBHS senior turned in a time of 21:53. Teammate Whitley Kennedy was third overall in 22:57 among 122 female runners.

“The day went really well,” said cross country coach Michael Lofton. “It was an incredibly challenging course. It was constantly up and down and there wasn’t much flat area. The times don’t seem like we ran well, but we did have a strong race.”
The course was designed by former WBHS cross country coach Sam Stovall, who is now coach at North Georgia Technical College.
Anna Dean (7th overall), Kiana Perez (8th overall) and Amber Duffy (15th overall) completed the top five for the Lady Bulldoggs. [Full Story »]