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The BLITZ XC Runners of the Week are Hayden Hand (Dawson) and Will Gipson (Franklin). Hand won the Fan Vote with 6,550 of the 9,170 total votes. Gipson was the BLITZ Pick.
HAYDEN HAND – DAWSON COUNTY
Racing for the final time at Dawson, senior Hayden Hand saved her best for last with a 4th-place finish at state in the 3A race. Hand crossed the line with a time of 20:21. It completes a trajectory she’s had her entire career, as she placed 9th as a freshman, then 6th as a sophomore, 7th as a junior, and now 4th as a senior. This is her 9th all-time BLITZ POW award.
WILL GIPSON – FRANKLIN COUNTY
Will Gipson put the crowning achievement on his cross country career. The Franklin County senior was the first across the line, claiming the Class 2A State Championship with a blistering time of 17:09, 21 seconds ahead of the 2nd-place runner. Gipson’s cross country career has seen him have massive success – Champion as a senior, 4th as a junior, 5th as a sophomore, and 48th as a freshman. He has a pair of region titles individually as well. He was also the 2025 (junior year) State Champion in the 3200 in track, as well as winning the region title. This is his second POW award.
