Antwonette Thomas dominated the girls' event in the NewRock Cross Country meet at Newton High Thursday finishing first in a time of 21 minutes, 34 seconds.

The Rockdale freshman was the fastest girl by a little less than two minutes, as Eastside's Rhodelle Lewis was the next finisher in 23:40, followed by Alcovy's Elizabeth Smith in 23:48.

Despite Thomas' s top finish, Rockdale's girls cross country still came in fourth with 89 points, behind Eastside with 62, Salem with 55 and Heritage.

Heritage picked up its third straight NewRock Cross Country championship Thursday, holding off Newton in the matchup of Newton and Rockdale counties.

The Patriots were the third team in the boys' grouping finishing behind Newton (27) and Rockdale (48) with 62 points. Eastside's boys tallied 117 points, Salem 136 and Alcovy 170. Heritage then finished first in the girls' grouping with 47 points.

Newton's Alex Grady finished first overall in a time 16:39 as Newton won the boys' grouping by 21 points over Rockdale. With Newton tallying 27 points and Rockdale 48, Heritage was in third with 62, followed by Eastside with 117, Salem 136 and Alcovy with 170 in the boys' grouping.

Salem's Gabe Alvarez finished second overall in a time of 17:02, and Rockdale's Patrick Masey third in 17:24.

The Patriots put up a total of 109 points to take first place overall, followed by host Newton with 133. Rockdale (137), Eastside (179), Salem (191) and Alcovy finished off the field.

After Thomas, Heritage had the next fastest girls, as Patriots crossed the finish line in fourth place, eighth place, 11th, 14th and 15th.

Salem's Jordan Marshall finished in fifth in the girls race in a time of 14:09 to lead the Lady Seminoles. Salem's Darie Woods was sixth in 24:47, Burton 12th in 25:57, Hicks 10th in 26:34 and Dotson 33rd in 29:02.

Along with Thomas, Rockdale's Kyia Havens was 13th in 26:09, Maria Campus was 25th in 29:09, Deja Stewart 32nd in 31:30 and Shannon Detiritas 33rd in 31:58.

Rockdale's boys were led by Masey, followed by Tyree Newton in a time of 17:50 for fourth place, Clifton Cosurra in ninth in 28:09, Alex Mann 13th in 18:59 and Jonathan Butler in 19th place.

Salem's Norritt finished in a time of 21:51 (2nd), E. Buchanan 22:11 (42), A. Buchanan 22:22 (47) and Alexis 22:75 (48).

Heritage's top five boys' racers all finished within the top 16, led by San Marteen Rozier in 11th. Zach Whiten finished 12th, Tharyn Coe 14th, Jeremy Milton 15th and Malik McCrary 16th.