The Long County Blue Tide cross country teams took third place in both boys and girls races when they hosted the Coastal Area Region Preview on Saturday, October 24.

The Tide hosted more than 15 schools from around the area, with all seven region opponents attending. The meet not only served as a look at many area schools and warm up for the sectional and state championship meets, but as the Region 3-AAAA championship.

The boys team finished third overall, finishing behind region opponents Southeast Bulloch and West Laurens. The team had five runners finish in the top 25 with Jamarcus Cole pacing the Tide with fourth place finish and time of 17:59.01.

Asher Mannel finished in 13th place with a time of 18:29.35 and Isaiah Clark was right behind him in 14th with a time of 18:40.00.

The girls finished fourth overall behind region opponents West Laurens and Southeast Bulloch and AAA opponent Islands. This gave them a third place finish in the region.

Cayla Soule paced the Tide with an 11th place finish and time of 22:20.55. Mackenzie Spurgeon was behind her in 13th with a time of 23.20.22.

Both teams will compete in the AAAA sectionals on Saturday, October 31. Long County will host that meet with more than 30 teams traveling to Ludowici.

The top eight teams overall will advance to the state championship meet in Carrollton on Friday, November 6.