Heavy rain and a slick, mud-soaked course couldn't slow down the Johns Creek High School cross country teams at the 2026 Fleet Feet Warpath Invitational. Facing gross weather conditions and a slippery trail that tested every runner's mental toughness, the Gladiators put on a masterclass in perseverance, pushing through the grime to secure top-five team finishes for both squads.
The Varsity Boys powered through the elements to capture 5th place overall in a deep, competitive field. Leading the charge with a monumental performance was Lincoln Hipp, who navigated the treacherous footing to place 15th overall with a standout time of 16:32.31. With that gritty effort, Hipp officially etched his name into the program's history books, becoming the 3rd fastest boy in Johns Creek High School history. He was backed by a relentless pack effort from Stryder Jones in 22nd (16:43.44), David Laughlin in 42nd (17:06.25), Clarke Boy in 57th (17:34.91), and Chase James in 80th (17:52.63), demonstrating the depth and work ethic that define this squad.
On the girls' side, the Varsity squad delivered an equally tenacious effort to claim 4th place overall. Ava Reames spearheaded the attack, cracking the top ten with a strong 10th-place finish at 19:23.52. Tasneem Ahmed followed closely behind in 18th place (19:55.48), backed by tough runs from Riley Beaton in 25th (20:27.22), Amber Rossi in 34th (20:46.67), and Molly Lovelace in 39th (21:02.10). Refusing to let the deteriorating course slow them down, every runner dug deep to lock in vital team points.
With Warpath in the books, the Gladiators have officially put the state on notice. As of today, the Johns Creek Girls are officially ranked 2nd in 6A, while the Boys hold strong at 6th in 6A. Emerging from the rain and mud with historic individual milestones and powerhouse state rankings proves that this team is building toward something truly extraordinary. With championship season fast approaching, both squads are primed, confident, and ready to turn this early-season momentum into an incredible postseason run!
