GHS runner places 8th in state meet; named all-state

Gaffney's Austin Steagall made a name for himself at the state championship cross country meet Saturday.

Steagall finished eighth out of 142 runners and earning all-state honors in the process.

Steagall finished the course in a time of 16:43.

Gaffney cross country coach Kevin Hammett said Steagall is proof that the program is improving.

"Austin served notice today that what the Gaffney cross country team has been saying all year, watch out our program is on the rise," Hammett said. "Austin had a game plan and executed it to perfection. He backed up what our team has been saying all year, we're coming. As soon as the meet was over he started planning what he could do to get better and making new goals."

Hammett said Steagall also sets high goals in the classroom.

"Austin represents the ideal student athlete," Hammett said. "In addition to his outstanding performance today, he also made straight A's on his report card. He buys into our philosophy that you are a student first and an athlete second."

"I really enjoy coaching Austin, as well as the rest of the Gaffney High Cross Country Team," Hammett added. "They have all worked really hard and are starting to see their hard work pay off."