PEACHTREE CITY, GA - October 31, 2026 - The Ware County Gators and Lady Gators Cross Country Teams traveled to Starr's Mill High School on Saturday, October 31, 2026, to compete in the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Class AAAAA Sectional Cross Country Meet. Both teams represented Ware County well, turning in strong performances against talented competition as the postseason continued.
Gators Earn Second-Place Finish Among Region 1-AAAAA Teams
The Ware County Gators Boys Cross Country Team put together a solid performance at the sectional meet, finishing second among Region 1-AAAAA teams.
Leading the way for the Gators was Damari Bennett, who finished sixth among Region 1-AAAAA runners with a time of 18:13. Bennett's effort helped lead the Gators to their second-place regional finish and highlighted the team's determination throughout the competition.
The Gators have continued to demonstrate improvement, consistency, and dedication throughout the 2026 season. Saturday's performance was another positive showing for the program as the team competed against some of the top runners in Class AAAAA.
Martinez Shines for Lady Gators, Qualifies for State
On the girls' side, Yaneli Martinez continued her impressive 2026 campaign with another outstanding performance for the Ware County Lady Gators.
Martinez finished 18th overall in the sectional competition while placing second among Region 1-AAAAA runners. Her strong showing earned her a qualifying spot in the upcoming GHSA Class AAAAA State Cross Country Championship.
Throughout the season, Martinez has been a consistent performer for the Lady Gators, competing at a high level and representing Ware County with determination and pride. Her sectional performance adds another accomplishment to an already successful season and provides an opportunity to compete against the best runners in Class AAAAA at the state championship.
Up Next: GHSA Class AAAAA State Cross Country Championship
The Ware County Cross Country program will now turn its attention to the GHSA Class AAAAA State Cross Country Championship, scheduled for Friday, November 6, 2026, in Carrollton, Georgia.
The Gators and Lady Gators will look to carry the momentum from their sectional performances into the state championship competition as they prepare to close out the 2026 season on one of the biggest stages in Georgia high school cross country.
Official race times will be announced once released by the GHSA.
Congratulations to the Ware County Gators and Lady Gators Cross Country Teams, their coaches, and student-athletes on their performances at the GHSA Sectional Meet. Best of luck to all Gator runners competing at the state championship!
GO GATORS!
For additional information and updates on Ware County Athletics, visit www.ware.k12.ga.us and follow Ware County Gator Nation on social media.
For more photos, please click the link below.
10/31/2026: Ware @ Sectional (Starr’s Mill)
