The JCXC team traveled to Orlando, Florida on October 17, 2026, to test their season at the 2026 Hawks' Last Chance Open. Serving as a crucial late-season benchmark, the meet provided the Gladiators an ideal platform to match up against top-tier competition from across the state of Florida. With 32 total performances on the day, Johns Creek demonstrated exceptional program depth, capturing impressive individual victories, strong pack finishes, and standout individual marks across every race.
Meet Overview & Competition Context -
The Hawks' Last Chance Open offers runners a fast, flat course paired with ideal autumn conditions, making it an essential late-season event for athletes seeking personal bests and momentum ahead of championship racing. Featuring a competitive multi-state field, the event challenged the Gladiators to adapt to new environments and race aggressively against unfamiliar programs across all divisions.
Girls 5k Highlights -
Elite Division Leader: Ava Reames spearheaded the Gladiators in the Girls Elite division with a standout performance, capturing 4th place overall in 19:24.20.
Junior Division Champion: Vivienne Rosenthal dominated the Girls Junior division, setting the pace from the start and taking 1st place overall in 21:55.10.
Elite Division Pack Finishers: The Gladiators showed strong mid-pack grouping in the Elite division, featuring Isabella Skeens in 15th (20:06.20), Tasneem Ahmed in 21st (20:27.90), Amber Rossi in 27th (20:37.90), and Riley Beaton in 28th (20:39.40).
Elite Depth: Sajja Ahmed (34th, 20:54.30), Mallory Fisher (42nd, 21:22.10), Molly Lovelace (48th, 21:35.60), and Korin Delfavero (81st, 23:09.10) rounded out a solid overall team showing in the Elite race.
Junior Division Results: Rosemary Hung crossed the line in 19th place (26:52.80) and Nicole Delfavero finished 29th (28:07.10).
Boys 5k Highlights -
Elite Division Frontrunners: Lincoln Hipp led the varsity boys squad with a strong 12th-place finish in 16:47.20. He was closely followed by Stryder Jones in 15th (16:56.10) and David Laughlin in 17th (17:03.40), placing three Gladiators inside the top 20 of the Elite division.
Junior Division Dominance: Johns Creek put on a masterclass in pack running in the Boys Junior division, sweeping four straight top-10 spots: Caleb Ergle took 6th (20:06.30), Collin Cook took 7th (20:09.70), Levi Hutchens took 8th (20:10.30), and Rohan Graffagnini finished 9th (20:11.30).
Elite Division Depth: James Uptegraph placed 43rd (17:55.20), Chase James took 65th (18:22.90), Caleb Coffman finished 74th (18:37.30), Billy Chun crossed in 95th (18:59.80), Jaden Krieger took 114th (19:30.60), Alex Easton finished 124th (19:45.20), and Finn Gurley completed the Elite course in 159th (22:31.80).
Junior Division Finishers: Tyler Huston finished 22nd (21:28.70), David Kelly took 25th (21:50.40), Evan Yee placed 53rd (23:23.00), Ian Du Toit placed 60th (23:50.20), David Tuten finished 65th (24:04.20), and Jackson Serra rounded out the lineup in 77th (24:28.70).
