CARROLLTON — The Creekview boys became the first Cherokee County team to secure a cross country state title, winning the Class AAAAA title Friday on the opening day of the state championships.

Led by Malachi Burnett’s runner-up finish, the Grizzlies scored 63 points to place comfortably ahead of Clarke Central (103), with Pope (150) third and Lakeside-DeKalb (163) fourth.

For Creekview coach Kirk Scharich, the triumph was a result of an increased commitment and effort in training that the Grizzlies made as they looked to improve on last year’s fifth-place result in Class AAAAA.

“We’ve been running well all year,” Scharich said. “Last year, we were here and finished fifth and we were really disappointed. We just came back and emphasized a lot more on the hills and in the weight room, and

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