In the past week, six varsity teams concluded their seasons at their respective state championships: girls and boys track and field, boys soccer, boys lacrosse, and girls and boys golf. Two teams emerged with state titles; three were runners-up. Already this spring, the girls tennis team claimed GHSA gold; boys tennis and girls gymnastics were state runners-up.  

The boys soccer team traveled to Savannah to take on Lovett on May 13. The score remained tied at 0 after going into extra time, and the game went to penalty kicks. After a tremendous save by sophomore goalie Owen Ross, the Knights claimed the title 5-3. Congratulations to all of the coaches and players!

May 13 also marked the beginning of the three-day GHSA Track & Field State Championships at McEachern High School. Twenty-two student-athletes competed for places on the podium, and when all was said and done, the boys (pictured) were crowned state champions—the Knights’ first track and field title since 1972. The girls team was state runner-up. 

Individual track and field state titles went to juniors Laura Arenth (1600 and 3200 meters), Edward Blaha (3200 meters) and John Catherman (100 and 200 meter). Earning silver medals were junior Kate Jonas (3200 meters), E. Blaha (1600 meters), sophomore Brooke Fung Chung (high jump), the girls 4x400 relay (seniors Hanna Vincent and Laura Romig, freshman Rebecca Thompson and Fung Chung), the boys 4x800 relay (E. Blaha and juniors George Blaha, Robert Mallis and Grant Thompson) and the girls 4x800 relay (Arenth, Jonas, Romig and Vincent). 

Bronze medals went to G. Blaha (3200 meters), G. Thompson (800 meters), senior Alexander Swann (300 hurdles), Romig (800 meters) and the boys 4x400 relay (Catherman, senior Jonny Sundermeier, Swann and G. Thompson). In addition, Mallis (3200 meters), G. Blaha (1600 meters), Caroline Hood (1600 and 3200 meters), Sundermeier (400 meters) and Vincent (800 meters) earned fourth-place spots on the podium. Sophomore Frank Caldwell was fifth in the high jump; junior Jordan White put in an eighth-place finish in the 1600 meters; junior Gabby Hudson was eighth in the long jump; and Jonas was eighth in the 800 meters.

On May 15 in a match-up against lacrosse powerhouse Blessed Trinity, the varsity boys lacrosse team attempted to capture its first-ever state title. After a hard-fought match, the team came up short (8-12) to earn the runner-up title and conclude an outstanding season. 

Varsity girls and boys golf wrapped things up for the Knights. Both teams competed in their respective state championships at Southern Hills Golf Club on May 17 and 18, and the boys finished second overall. Junior Ben Shelton, the Knights’ top scorer, was fifth individually. Congratulations to all of our Pace Knights for an incredible spring season—and an amazing year in Pace Athletics!