Meet the region’s best boys’ cross-country runners: The 2023 All-Observer team
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Ardrey Kell senior Raghav Gopalakrishnan is the Charlotte Observer boys’ cross-country runner of the year.
Gopalakrishnan won the 4A NCHSAA Western Regional championship and he was runner-up at the N.C. 4A state finals. Gopalakrishnan also ran a personal-best 15:06.70 to finish 13th overall in a loaded field at the Great American Festival in Cary on Oct. 7.
Gopalakrishnan also won the SoMeck 4A conference title and finished runner-up in the Friday Night Lights’ Cross Country Festival.
Gopalakrishnan will continue his academic and athletic careers at the University of Pennsylvania.
▪ Marvin Ridge’s Kailyn Lockie, is the Charlotte Observer boys’ cross-country coach of the year after leading the Mavericks to the 4A state title.
Marvin Ridge was dominant at the state meet, beating the field by 49 points and the Mavericks had four runners in the top 25, including David Firestone (ninth), Michael Rivlin (20th), William Heyde (23rd) and David Rivlin (24th).
First team
Garrett Brown, South Pointe (SC): The S.C. 4A state champion finished third at the Wendy’s Invitational and ran a personal-best 15:20.70 at NXR Southeast Regional.
Isaac Campbell, Fort Mill: The Region III 5A champion finished seventh at the 5A state championship and ran a personal-best 15:31.69 at the Starlight Run.
Cole Fiorillo, Corvin Charter: The Cardinals’ senior ran a personal-best 15:29.71 to finish as 1A West Runner-up; also took third at the 1A state championship meet.
David Firestone, Marvin Ridge: The Mavericks’ junior finished ninth at the 4A state championship, third at the 4A Midwest Regional and ran a personal-best 15:39.50 at the Great American Cross Country Festival.
Raghav Gopalakrishnan, Ardrey Kell: The University of Pennsylvania commit won the 4A West Regional, was 4A state runner-up and ran a personal-best 15:06.70 at the Great American Cross Country Festival.
Josh Koziol, York County Trailblazers: The Trailblazers’ senior ran a personal-best 15:43.23 to win the Starlight Run; also was the SCHSAA state champion.
Blake Nicholson, Christ the King: The Crusaders’ junior was the 1A state champion and ran a personal-best 15:03.29 to win the 1A West Regional title.
David Rivlin, Marvin Ridge: The Mavericks’ junior ran a personal-best 15:40.60 at the Adidas Challenge and finished 24th at the 4A state championships; was third at the Southern Carolinas’ conference (SCC) championships.
Colden Welsh, Covenant Day: The Lions’ senior was CISAA conference champion. He finished fourth at the NCISAA 4A state championships and ran personal-best 15:24.70 at Great American Cross Country Festival.
Thomas Wlazlowski, Cuthbertson: The Cavaliers’ senior finished third at the 4A state championship, was 4A Midwest Regional champion and ran a personal-best 15:24.60 at the Great American Cross Country Festival.
Second team
Hunter Bates, Weddington, So.
Justin Bevacqua, Cuthbertson, Sr.
Cameron Brown, Charlotte Country Day, Sr.
Andrew Catapano, Central Academy, Sr.
Nicholas Grace, Ardrey Kell, Sr.
William Heyde, Marvin Ridge, Sr.
Logan Hill, Charlotte Catholic, Sr.
Gavin Jansen, Central Academy, Jr.
Tanner Long, Fort Mill, Sr.
Michael Rivlin, Marvin Ridge, So.
Joseph Wells, Ardrey Kell, Jr.
This story was originally published December 20, 2023 at 7:00 AM.
