XC on repeat: Marvin Ridge, Cardinal Gibbons go back-to-back at NCHSAA state championship

A sun-splashed morning at the Ivey Redmon Complex provided a joyful flood of two shining moments for Asheville, and two consecutive, poignant team titles for the Marvin Ridge boys and Cardinal Gibbons girls at Saturday’s N.C. 4A Cross Country Championships.

Asheville, representing a city among those emerging from Hurricane Helene’s impact, swept the boys’ and girls’ individual titles, with Michael Haskin (15:21.71) and Sofi Alexander (18:01.23) earning top honors. The Cougars’ milestones marked the first time in 23 years that runners from the same 4A school finished first. Matt Debole and Carly Matthews of Mount Tabor (Winston-Salem) achieved the feat in 2001 at Charlotte’s McAlpine Park.

Marvin Ridge and Cardinal Gibbons put two and three runners respectively among the top 10 to cement repeat golden finishes. Mavericks senior David Rivlin (15:31.74) finished fourth, and improved upon his 2023 finish on the same course by more than 44 seconds and 20 places. Teammate David Firestone earned his second straight all-state (top 10) distinction and placed 10th (15:44.22). Firestone took ninth a year ago, but finished more than eight seconds faster in his final high school race. Marvin Ridge outpaced second-place Broughton (Raleigh), 68-96. The Mavericks represent the second Union County school with back-to-back 4A cross country crowns. The Cuthbertson women won in 2021 and 2022.

“The boys have worked very hard for this,” Marvin Ridge coach Kaylin Lockie said. “For others to see and acknowledge it is really going to help build our culture.”

Cardinal Gibbons senior Hannah Rae Shaffer became a four-time all-stater, finishing sixth in 18:14.12. Teammate Addy Mitchell (18:18.78), a repeat all-stater, and Maggie Whitham (18:24.94) were ninth and 10th respectively.

“That’s what a coach dreams of,” Cardinal Gibbons coach Nick Mangum said. “You’ve got to be able to reach out and communicate and touch each other, stay together, and keep the pack intact. They did that. The longer we keep that pack intact, the stronger we are.”

Freshman Kaitlyn Estep (18:35.42, 12th) gave Cardinal Gibbons its first four scorers within a little more than 21 seconds. Mangum spoke about the ninth-grader, who has battled shin splints, saw more than she anticipated in her first race in a while and, still, narrowly missed the top 10.

“She was just gritty,” Mangum said. “The extra curve ball of falling within the last 1,000 meters just showed what a tough, tough kid she is. She is going to do some special things.”

The Crusaders more than doubled the score of runner-up Cuthbertson (Waxhaw), 62-136. The Cavaliers were paced by Colby McCollum (18:13.9, fifth).

▪ Among women, Addie Oversmith (18:12.91) of Broughton was fourth, three spots ahead of Kasey Dingman of Lake Norman (Mooresville) in 18:14.96. Charlottean Kate Willette of Myers Park (18:30, 11th) finished between Whitham and Estep.

Repeat titles for Marvin Ridge boys

Marvin Ridge became the first team from the greater Charlotte area to claim back-to-back men’s titles since North Mecklenburg in 2000 and 2001. Before then, East Mecklenburg won three consecutive titles from 1990-92 under renowned coach Larry McAfee. Marvin Ridge assistant coach Brian Wilson ran for East Meck during that time frame, and identified the Mavericks’ and Eagles’ binding similarities spanning more than 30 years.

“A large team that allows runners to develop over time, promotes hard work, promotes teamwork and pack running,” Wilson said, “that’s exactly what Larry did.”

Marvin Ridge’s third (Michael Rivlin, 15:49.84,13th), fourth (Ishan More, 16:02.65, 23rd), and fifth (Kyle Barney, 16:20.42, 35th) finishers were separated by approximately 31 seconds.

▪ Riverside’s (Durham) Philip Blum (15:23.19) and Connor Tyrrell (15:31.3) were second and third, while Brandon Williams (15:34.5) of Holly Springs rounded out Triangle area all-staters in seventh. Sam Wooten (15:51.1) led Broughton in 14th place.

Remembering Cardinal Gibbons’ Mike Shea

Cardinal Gibbons ran with a uniquely dedicated purpose. Mike Shea, the program’s founding coach and a member of the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame, died on October 20 — 19 days after his 96th birthday. Shea’s funeral rites in Raleigh began during the hour of Saturday’s state meet.

“I wish I could be in both places at once,” Mangum said. “Mike and his family are the reasons we’re here today, and the reasons these ladies have the opportunities they have.”

Shea is the father of Cardinal Gibbons alumni and Hall of Famers Julie and Mary Shea, who set several track & field national records. Mary’s 10,000 meters high school record (32:52.5) still stands. Julie and Mary placed first and second, respectively in the 5,000-meter run (a cross-country course’s length) at the 1980 U.S. Olympic Trials. (The U.S. boycotted the 1980 Olympics in Moscow.)