Gloucester High School’s Joshua Shackelford came in second overall in Saturday’s Class 5A state championship meet at Great Meadows Park, edged out of the top spot by a fraction of a second.

The GHS boys and girls both competed as teams in the meet, with the boys placing 11th and the girls coming in 12th place.

This was the first time since 2007 that the boys competed as a team in the state meet, and it was the first time in history that the GHS girls have competed.

The girls’ team raced first that day. Returning to the state meet, Alyssa Lass placed 53rd with a time of 21:03. Following her was Katie Saunders in 64th (21:29), Nicole Pinder in 75th (22:00), Marranda Hansford in 76th (22:01), Makala White in 89th (23:10), Ruby Williams in 92nd (23:24) and Lydia Hart in 98th (24:01). Only two of these ladies had ever competed at the state level; this was a new experience for many. Though for many this was their first time competing at this level, they all hope it won&r...