Katelyn Wolford made Southern Gap High School history on Sept. 23 in Tazewell, becoming the first girl from the new school to win a high school-sanctioned cross-country meet.
The freshman won the girls’ 5,000-meter race at the George Brown Invitational in 21:52.08. Her first varsity victory helped the Southern Gap girls earn their first team win, finishing with 35 points at Cavitts Creek Park.
“Getting my first varsity-level victory meant a lot to me. I knew I had worked hard, but I also know God gave me the ability to run and helped me throughout the race. I was able to stay ahead for most of the race, and toward the end I knew I just needed to keep pushing and trust God to get me to the finish. I’m really thankful for the opportunity and proud of our team for getting our first win as Southern Gap,” Wolford said.
Wolford finished more than two minutes ahead of runner-up Caroline Harper of the Virginia Bearcats, who ran 24:04.38. Tazewell’s Emily Baker was third in 24:52.09.
The Eagles placed four runners in the top eight. Senior Ava Ward finished fourth in 25:23.00, sophomore Vieronika Silishchenko was sixth in 25:28.72, and senior Kelly Ratliff took eighth in 25:59.93.
Junior Sierra Lowry completed Southern Gap’s five-runner scoring lineup, placing 22nd in 31:37.98. Junior Ella Robinson finished 24th in 32:31.42, freshman Carlee Slayton was 25th in 35:11.03, and sophomore Aliyah Armendariz placed 30th in 51:59.84.
Southern Gap finished nine points ahead of Tazewell, which scored 44. The Virginia Bearcats were third with 45.
In the girls’ middle school 3,000-meter race, Southern Gap placed second in the team standings. Eighth grader Angela Lin led the Eagles with a 30th-place finish in 15:59.74. Tazewell won with 15 points. Southern Gap and Richlands each scored 57, with Southern Gap listed second in the meet results.
George Brown Invitational
Sept. 23, 2026 • Cavitts Creek Park, North Tazewell, Va.
Girls’ varsity 5,000-meter team scores: 1. Southern Gap 35; 2. Tazewell 44; 3. Virginia Bearcats 45.
Girls’ varsity 5,000-meter individual results: 1. Katelyn Wolford, Southern Gap, 21:52.08; 2. Caroline Harper, Virginia Bearcats, 24:04.38; 3. Emily Baker, Tazewell, 24:52.09; 4. Ava Ward, Southern Gap, 25:23.00; 5. Elizaveta Sakaly, Tazewell, 25:23.49; 6. Vieronika Silishchenko, Southern Gap, 25:28.72; 7. Harmony McCoy, Virginia Bearcats, 25:31.49; 8. Kelly Ratliff, Southern Gap, 25:59.93; 9. Sadie Stables, Narrows, 26:13.17; 10. Warner Pyott, Tazewell, 26:24.37; 11. Zoey Woods-Abdullah, Tazewell, 26:38.27; 12. Ember Wohlford, Virginia Bearcats, 27:17.31; 13. Brooklyn Peak, Marion, 27:45.81; 14. Jocelyn Wohlford, Virginia Bearcats, 28:05.40; 15. Cadence Scott, Virginia Bearcats, 28:15.35; 16. Mia Porter, Graham, 28:29.70; 17. Lyla Cheatham, Virginia Bearcats, 28:36.57; 18. Eleanor Peterson, Virginia Bearcats, 29:30.25; 19. Lila Williams, Graham, 29:30.40; 20. Amelia Forsyth, Carroll County, 29:37.32; 21. Olivia DeBord, Virginia Bearcats, 29:56.68; 22. Sierra Lowry, Southern Gap, 31:37.98; 23. Eme Corell, Tazewell, 32:00.85; 24. Ella Robinson, Southern Gap, 32:31.42; 25. Carlee Slayton, Southern Gap, 35:11.03; 26. Amy Alberto, Virginia Bearcats, 35:22.68; 27. Lizzie Watson, Tazewell, 37:01.78; 28. Addison Quillen, Tazewell, 37:14.51; 29. Camdyn Patrick, Virginia Bearcats, 43:42.12; 30. Aliyah Armendariz, Southern Gap, 51:59.84.
Girls’ middle school 3,000-meter team scores: 1. Tazewell 15; 2. Southern Gap 57; 3. Richlands 57.
Girls’ middle school 3,000-meter individual results provided: 12. Grayson Leighton, Tazewell, 13:58.39; 14. Eme Rodeheaver, Tazewell, 14:35.41; 16. Kamryn Scott, Tazewell, 14:44.98; 20. Mila Havens, Tazewell, 15:11.01; 21. Alexis Hicks, Tazewell, 15:14.26; 29. Paisley Richardson, Richlands, 15:43.11; 30. Angela Lin, Southern Gap, 15:59.74; 32. Ella-Rae Patton, Richlands, 16:07.47; 33. Maddy McCann, Tazewell, 16:12.08; 35. Arianna Gonzalez, Richlands, 17:15.56; 36. Autumn Yates, Southern Gap, 17:15.87; 37. Abby Jude, Southern Gap, 17:50.82; 38. Hannah Terry, Carroll County, 17:52.89; 39. Ahleah Daniels, Southern Gap, 17:53.05; 40. Olivia Bradley, Southern Gap, 17:54.53; 43. Emmaline Todd, Carroll County, 18:30.91; 44. Addi Compton, Richlands, 18:44.13; 45. Madiley Rife, Southern Gap, 19:03.96; 46. Natalie Bolling, Carroll County, 19:07.08; 47. Baylee Tatum, Southern Gap, 19:26.25; 49. Aliza Graf, Carroll County, 19:53.67; 50. Emily Layne, Southern Gap, 20:10.49; 51. Maleah Vandyke, Southern Gap, 20:27.12; 52. Kinzlee Christian, Southern Gap, 20:39.14; 55. Addy Perkins, Richlands, 23:07.59; 56. Makailyn Hurley, Southern Gap, 23:13.30; 57. Erin Layne, Southern Gap, 24:20.51.
