With Cartersville competing in the state middle school championships in Cochran and the Georgia Highlands Invitational in Rome Saturday morning, varsity coach David Matherne had a choice to make as to which one to attend.

Actually the choice was an easy one as Matherne’s son, William, is a member of Cartersville’s middle school cross-country team.

While he watched Cartersville’s boys finish third at the middle school championships, Matherne learned that the boys’ varsity cross-country team placed second at the Georgia Highlands Invitational.

“It was a busy day for all our cross-country teams,” he said.

Among the top 10 runners at the invitational for the varsity boys were Rogelio Herrera, fourth, 17:15; Lawson Crowe, fifth, 17:16; Troy Hickom, sixth, 17:22; and Tommy Morrison, ninth, 17:50.

For the Lady Purple Hurricanes, top invitational finishers were Bree Cole, 22:08; Victoria Everhart, 23:22; Edith Milian, 23:26; Elyse Hoganson, 23:39; and Allie Caughman, 23:42.

Cartersville was one of 20 teams that competed at the Invitational. Both the Woodland girls and boys came in second at the middle school championships.