The Clarkston High School boys cross country team stunned to running world last year by winning the first GHSA cross country title in school history, and this year they surprised a lot of “experts” by winning back to back titles. “The pre-rankings came out a week before the championships this year and they said the best we could hope for was a fourth place finish” says Angoras coach Wesley Etienne. “But the kids bought in to what we have been trying to teach them, they gave it all they had, and we won another championship” The Clarkston High School cross country story is an inspiring one. The school has students from over forty countries from around the world, and many of the cross country runners are refugee students. Last year they had no sponsors and ran on a shoe string budget. After winning the first title, a shoe company came forward to help out with equipment and some other benefactors came up with the funds for championship rings. Coach Etienne came to the school in 2012. That year the Angoras finished 19th at the state meet. In 2013 Clarkston High School finished second. And the last two years have been championship moments. “The first title was a tremendous experience. None of the coaches or runners had ever won a title. It was the first for all of us and we did it together. It was truly a memorable moment and one we will always cherish” This year’s run for the title was memorable as well “This year we had some trials and tribulations. We had some good races and some bad races. But the kids always kept their eyes on the prize and despite some rocky moments, and the fact no one expected us to win, we ran away with it winning by thirty points” Here are the names of Coach Etienne’s magnificent seven along with their times Suheib Mohamed 17:16.43; Bineyam Tumbo 17:48.14; Paul Nikobiri 17:54.94; Bosco Hakuzimana 18:06.10; Awet Fitwi 18:12.68; Rukundo Uwimana 18:42.63; Ngabo Daniel 18;53.77 And those runners come from Ethiopia, Rwanda, Somalia, Congo, and Eritrea. So this week, it’s time for the second ring ceremony in school history. “The ring ceremony is all about the team and the school. It helps shed light on the fact that we have some great students and some great student-athletes at Clarkston High School. Cross Country and track and field help set the tone that students here can be successful both on the field and in the class room and it helps put Clarkston High School on the map. “ Coach Etienne is very proud of what he and his coaching staff are building at Clarkston High School. “The kids are buying into the program. They are following what we practice and preach about, they are being disciplined and they are running for each other. We are proving that we can compete with anyone” And compete not just in the athletic realm, but in the class room as well. Last year there were four seniors on the team……………………and all went on to college. That has a nice ring to it as well.