CARROLLTON, Ga. – The Hebron Christian Academy cross country boys were crowned state champions, as the Lions won the GHSA 3A-A Private State Championship on Friday, November 7. 

In the confines of Carrollton High School, where all GHSA classifications meet for state each year, the Lions lined up for what would be one of their most impressive showings in 2025, with their top four runners placing in the top-35, all seven finishing in the top-65, and two blazing into the top-12. 

Hebron's first-place finish marks the third GHSA state title in program history (2014, 2017, 2025) and the 13th state championship in school history.

"They work really hard, cross country isn't easy, it's a hard sport. It takes a lot of effort, dedication, and they're all very dedicated boys," head coach Mike Taylor said of the Lions. "It started in June, and now we're in the first week of November. It's been a long time, but they've been working hard (the entire time). Before they took off, I said to them 'this is what you guys have been working for this whole season, this race today,' and they killed it." 

According to Taylor, two Hebron runners gained ground near the end of the race, improving by about 20 spots, pushing them closer towards a victory, which edged Whitefield Academy (112) by three points. 

Senior Anderson Mathias led the way for the boys, earning a fifth-place finish with a time of 16:48.92, in a race where he remained in the top pack from the opening gun. Junior Javier Silva wasn't far behind, coming in 11th with a time of 17:14.01. 

The two 2025 Gwinnett County Super Six selections have set the pace for Hebron for the last two seasons, Silva earning the top finish for Hebron in last year's state meet. 

Behind Mathias and Silva was Tristan Demesa, who placed 21st (17:49.69), Wilson Mathias (34th, 18:17.77), Noble Fink (38th, 18:25.66), Miles Wall (57th, 18:54.90) and Sean McCorkle (61st, 19:04.01). 

After an incredibly long season, the highs and lows, and the mental game that is cross country, Taylor felt relief as the boys saw their score at the top of the leaderboard. 

"You just really never know what's going to happen in a race, anything can happen. Everything was lined up for them to have a great race, and they performed," Taylor said. 'State is a hard course, they ran great. I'm so proud of them, I can't describe how proud of them I am." 

For the girls, they also had a great run at the tough and "hilly" Carrollton course, placing 12th out of 23 teams. 

Sophomore Eloise Jones kept up with her multiple top-five finishes from this season, coming in fifth with a time of 20:17.38. Lindsay Buchanan backed up the sophomore with a 26th-place finish with a time of 21:57.76. 

Amber Smith (102nd, 25:41.28), Amarin Stevens (105th, 25:50.79), Morgan Wall (110th, 26:33.36), Kendall Brown (27:13.52) and Abbey Mauk (124th, 27:51.18) also ran well for Hebron in the girls race. 

"They had a great season … they did a great job, hard working girls," Taylor said. "A lot of girls don't want to go through that kind of pain, but they don't mind doing that."