Cross Country Hosts Its Seventh Family Affair Meet

by Head of Community Engagement Gordon Mathis

For the seventh time, the cross country athletes from The Galloway School and Clarkston High School in DeKalb County initiated the season with a friendly competition. On Saturday, August 19, 60 runners, roughly 30 from each school, participated in pre-season time trials to create a base time for each athlete. 

While the annual event serves as a season opener at Galloway’s track field, it celebrates much more than athleticism. “My father taught at Clarkson for 30 years,” cross country coach Denny Beatty explains. “This event brings together athletes from different experiences to compete and share a meal in camaraderie.”  

The motto of this year’s event was “Together Again.” Galloway’s boys and girls varsity and junior varsity teams participated in the event, along with three alumni who ran cross country at Galloway: Lindsey Smith ‘19, Noah Sokoloff ‘22, and Caleb Kopitsky ‘22.

Clarkston’s athletes hail from eight countries and represent a variety of religious faiths and languages. Members of the Galloway cross country community raised $3,000 in athletic gear and gift cards to share with the Clarkston athletes. Galloway parents planned, prepared, and served the potluck meal for all participants; more than 100 people ate together across the two schools. Coach Beatty adds, “We could not have celebrated the success of this gathering without the hard work, enthusiastic support, and organizational skills of team parent Kate Hallowell.” 

The two teams will compete again next weekend, in Whitesburg, Georgia, at the Early Bird Meet, sponsored by Alexander High School, when 1,200 high school athletes will formally start the cross country season. 

“Together Again” – a great way to start the cross country season!