Chamblee’s cross-country season has finally come to a close. This season, there were around forty-five boys and thirty girls on the team, who ran routes around the school to train for meets. Their practice paid off, as seven members of the girls team were able to compete for Chamblee at the state meet.
For the most part, the team believed they had a successful season since many people did better than in previous years.
“The team definitely improved. I think almost all of varsity set PRs [Personal Records] this year. Both boys and girls, and even nonvarsity did amazing,” said Ryan Shimabukuro (‘26), “so I think it was a great season overall.”
Some gave credit for the results of the season to their supportive team.
“The team environment is just really good this year. It’s always been good, but I really like how the team has all rallied together [because] everyone knows each other,” said Abigail Mueller (‘27).
Similarly, others credited their teammates for their improvement.
“They push me to do my best every day, and they motivate me to do better because I see them doing so well,” said Leanna Maender (‘26). “I love [my team] so much; they’re my favorite.”
Coach Jennifer Tinnell, who’s been at Chamblee since 2001 and has been coaching cross country for fifteen years, gave credit to her fellow coaches.
“I also think we have a great coaching staff. Coach Felts is amazing, and having community coaches [like] Pat Williams and Lindsey Moss also allows us to be stronger and better,” said Tinnell.
Tinnell also thanked administrators at the school for their support.
“The Cross Country team gets incredible support from Ms. Barnes and the administration,” said Tinnell, “and Coach Reynolds is an awesome athletics director.”
Unlike some other schools, the Chamblee High School boys and girls team runs together, rather than having separate routes and practices for boys and girls.
“Historically, here at Chamblee, we’ve run the boys and the girls as a unit. We practice together, we ride buses together, and we train together. Everything about our two teams is about being together, and I think the kids really enjoy that,” said Coach Tinnell. “When you have more fun, you just do better.”
The girls who advanced to state were optimistic about their chances.
“I did a lot better than I did the previous two years, ” said Mueller. “I had a really big PR last Saturday, so it’s really exciting going into state like that.”
Mueller placed 67th and was satisfied with her performance.
“I didn’t really have any expectations for time going into it, so I wasn’t extremely happy with my time, but I’m not super disappointed either,” said Mueller. “It’s about placement for the team and finishing rather than the time it takes for the course.”
Tinnell identified a certain student who she believed would be particularly successful at the state meet.
“Our team number one and leader has been Leanna Maender… She has come in first in every single race for Chamblee [up until state],” said Tinnell.
Maender herself felt confident going into the meet.
“I actually feel really good,” said Maender. “I placed pretty well at sectionals… It’s not ridiculous that I could get top ten in the state, at least top twenty.”
At state, Maender placed 27th, and the rest of the team was within 50 places.
“It was my fastest time in the state course throughout the years,” said Maender. “It was hard, but it was a fun day. I enjoyed it, and it was a great end to the season.”
While the boys didn’t advance to state, they looked forward to supporting the girls.
“I think they have a really good shot at getting top ten, or even better than that,” said Shimabukuro. “They’ve been running great this year, and I have what it takes to make some noise.”
The meet took place on November 7 at Carrollton High School. All runners from Chamblee placed within the top fifty percent and had times under twenty-three minutes, and Chamblee was the seventh best team.
