Gainesville High School cross country got its 2024 season off to a fast start Saturday at the Northeast Georgia Classic in Athens.

On the girls' side, four Red Elephant runners finished in the Top 8 to lead the GHS varsity to an overall title. Vanessa Torres led the Big Red charge finishing first to claim the day's individual title. Josabeth Graciano and Arianny Hoyos finished second and third respectively while Josie Brosky finished eighth. For the girls junior varsity, which finished fourth overall, Victoria Heim (third) and Izzy Allgood (sixth) finished in the Top 8.

Despite missing some key runners, the varsity boys finished third overall with Joshua Hernandez as the lone Top-10 finisher. The JV boys joined the varsity girls as overall winners with Logan Jordan taking the individual title followed by four other Red Elephant runners in the Top 10.

Cross country returns to action at 7:30 a.m. Aug. 24 in the Pickens Preview at Roper Park in Jasper.