Newton Citizen

COVINGTON - Today, Alcovy will host the Region 4-AAAA cross country meet for the first time ever.

Not a bad way to start the new month of November for the third-year program.

Other competing teams include Ola, Stockbridge, Dutchtown, Griffin, Forest Park, Jonesboro, Mount Zion and North Clayton.

Alcovy enters the region meet with the boys and girls squads coming off victories in the Last Chance Invitational last Saturday at home.

Led by coach Scott Murphy, who has been coaching high school athletes since 1998, the Alcovy cross country program has made tremendous strides in such a short span of time. Alcovy has been making noise this season since being reclassified, causing opponents to take notice.

"All of my success is due to the exceptional coaches who go before me, the athletes who continue to surprise me and current coaches who push me to keep getting better," Murphy said on his GATFXC.com profile.

Top runners for the Lady Tigers include Tatlin Gammon - who finished first overall in the Last Chance Invitational - Makiala Houseworth, Rochelle McNally, Briana Pace and Matresa Flowers.

For the boys, Alcovy's Joshua Holcombe, Damontae Ivey and Vincent Bond have paced the Tigers this year. Other notable standouts include Ahmad Crawford, Dakota Papke and Jordan Davis.

Weather forecasts predict the low to be 42 degrees with passing clouds today.

Jason Murdock can be reached at jason.murdock@rockdalecitizen.com.

SideBar: If You Go

What: Region 4-AAAA cross country meet

When: 9 a.m. today

Where: Alcovy High School