COVINGTON, Ga. – On Saturday, Aug. 14, the Eastside Eagles cross-country team placed second overall in the inaugural State Farm Opener hosted by Newton High School. 

Impressive finishes from Grayson Poynter and Kamarra Trisch aided Eastside’s final place. 

There were a lot of “firsts” that took place in the meet for the two runners, too. 

Poynter took home the first place trophy in the varsity boy’s 5,000-meter run. He posted a 19:35.28 final time. This was the first time that the sophomore finished in the top spot. 

He had to overcome some initial pain before he knew the final outcome, though. 

“I was hot, tired and legs were about dead,” Poynter said. “So I got through that and then realized I won the race. Then I was real happy and was excited to celebrate with my team.” 

As a freshman, Aug. 14’s meet was the first varsity level race Trisch had participated in. 

She finished third in the varsity girl’s 5,000-meter run with a final time of 27:21.31. 

The meet was a great introduction to the varsity level, Trisch said. 

“I was amazed [on how I finished],”  Trisch said. “I wanted to do the best I could and I’m happy with the result.” 

Saturday, Aug. 14 was also the first meet of the season for Eastside. 

According to head coach Michael Jorgenson, Poynter and Trisch didn’t disappoint in their first outing of 2021. 

“They both run with conviction,” Jorgenson said. “This is Georgia and they’re running in 90-plus degree weather. It takes their commitment and discipline to run in this heat. They definitely have that mindset that they’re going to have to sacrifice something in order to get better. They have that drive and commitment to be successful.”