News Summary

The East Ridge High School girls cross country team delivered an impressive performance at the Third Annual SSG Hammond Invitational held in Clermont. Competing against seven teams, the Knights secured a runner-up title, with standout finishes from several runners including Hortance Sallault and Taylor Walker. The event not only highlighted athletic talent but also served as a poignant tribute to Staff Sergeant Abraham Hammond. With the next challenge at the West Orange Invitational on the horizon, the Knights look forward to continuing their strong season.

East Ridge High School Girls Cross Country Team Excels at SSG Hammond Invitational

This past Saturday, Clermont was the place to be for cross country fans as the East Ridge High School girls cross country team dazzled supporters in the Third Annual SSG Hammond Invitational. The event has been set up to honor the memory of Staff Sergeant Abraham Hammond, a brave member of the United States Army who left this world too soon in February 2022 at the age of 27. Family members of SSG Hammond came to cheer on the athletes and remember his legacy, making the event all the more special.

A Day of Remembrance and Competition

Before the races began, participants took part in a heartfelt memorial walk around East Ridge’s track, commemorating SSG Hammond’s life and service. As the sun broke through the clouds, the weather was a comfy 73°F. Let’s face it, it was an absolute blessing compared to the usual humid mornings of August!

Ready, Set, Go!

The varsity girls’ race kicked off at 8:00 AM, with seven teams ready to hit the challenging course, which featured a notorious uphill section dubbed the “Green Monster.” Runners ascended this beast of a hill before looping around the campus and finishing with a thrilling 300M stretch on the track. Talk about an adrenaline rush!

East Ridge Makes Its Mark

The East Ridge Knights made quite the impression. From the get-go, several runners established themselves in the top ten, led by senior Adriana Mustin alongside junior athletes Taylor Walker, Jessie Volz, and talented freshman Hortance Sallault. The energy was electric as the girls surged forward.

Hortance Sallault had an incredible run, finishing seventh overall with an impressive time of 20:49. This performance not only marked her second fastest career time but also made her the eighth fastest runner for an East Ridge Knight on the current home ground. Plus, she set the all-time fastest result by an East Ridge freshman! Way to go, Hortance!

Completing the top runners, Taylor Walker clocked in right after her at 20:56.99, finishing eighth, and Jesse Volz wasn’t far behind at 20:57.41, taking ninth place. Walker’s performance improved nearly a minute from last year’s meet, while Volz made an astonishing improvement of three minutes!

Sophomore Helen Robertson also had a day to remember, finishing twelfth overall with a brilliant time of 21:37, marking her first significant scoring finish for the team. Meanwhile, Mustin crossed the line in thirteenth place at 21:40, improving by over thirty seconds from the previous year’s race!

Chasing the Championship

In the end, the East Ridge girls captured the runner-up title at the meet, narrowly missing out on the championship by just seven points to Tavares High School, who managed to snag three of the top four finishes. Talk about a close race!

The Knights also competed fiercely against other notable teams, defeating four additional 4A schools including Windermere, Horizon, and Apopka. The individual champion of the day was Sophomore Arabella Duffell from Lake Nona High School, who completed the race in a swift 18:52, just shy of breaking the course record.

Junior Varsity Highlights

The action didn’t stop there! Ten East Ridge runners took to the course in the junior varsity race, with freshman sensation Jamie Volz claiming the gold among 32 competitors with a stellar personal best time of 24:15. Talk about making a mark!

Looking Ahead

The East Ridge girls cross country team is already gearing up for their next challenge at the West Orange Invitational on September 20, 2025. With such strong performances under their belt, one can’t help but be excited for what lies ahead!

A huge thank you goes out to all the parent volunteers, alumni, community supporters, and staff members who worked tirelessly to make the SSG Hammond Invitational a resounding success. The energy and enthusiasm were palpable, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for everyone involved!

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