For the third consecutive year, the Cartersville Purple Hurricanes proudly held high the trophy that symbolized their winning the Bartow County cross country championship. The Woodland Lady Wildcats also won the county championship for the second consecutive year, only they were denied any chance of holding the championship trophy once again.

The reason why was quite simple.

Before the entire Lady Wildcats cross country team reached the podium, Cass coach Dennis Rawlins told everybody in attendance that it was still locked up in the trophy case at Woodland High School.

“And nobody was able to get the key to open it,” a most apologetic Rawlins said.

That explanation formally brought to a light-hearted close this year’s county championship that was held for the first time at Cass High School.

It is a county championship that has been literally ruled by the Cartersville boys and the Woodland girls since its inception in 1998.

The Canes have held the championship trophy 10 times, Woodland four times and Cass once. For the girls, Woodland has been champions 12 times, the Lady Canes three times.

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