After missing a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the guidance team at McDonough High School and the Academy for Advanced Studies won their seventh national championship this spring, sweeping all school events in the competition.

The team took part in a rescheduled Southeast Interschool Orienteering Championship that takes place in Georgia each year over the recent weekend, according to coach David Moss. Everyone receives a national ranking after completing two days at the event, and most riders compete at the national level as well.

The Warhawks entered the courts on day one, just as three hours of heavy rain began to fall after its main competitor, Hillgrove High, wrapped up its event.

“Crossing the woods cross-country is already very difficult; it’s hard to train for that kind of environment, ”Moss said. “But our guidance counselors kept their focus and had a great day, much better than I could imagine.

After a detailed virtual debrief that evening, the team of 12 regrouped the next morning at Don Carter State Park in Gainesville. They were looking for a clean sweep of all four categories for the fourth time in five years.

There was no awards ceremony due to COVID-19 safety rules, but the Warhawks learned online at the end of the day that they had won all categories.

“It was a record performance,” Moss said. “No team has ever had a clean sweep except the Warhawks, and now four out of five. I am so proud of this group of students.

The performance also marked a huge personal comeback for members of the returning squad, who landed in Washington DC in March of last year just in time to learn that the Navy’s National Championship competition had then been called off. as the pandemic began.

“Our hearts were just broken,” said Moss, Henry County High School teacher of the year for 2015-16. “Even have a season [this year] was something many never thought would happen.

Team members include Kevon Benton, Conner Malone, Tanasya Francis, Mikal Moreland, Fredrick Godby, Angelina Vargas, Amari Cooper, Nizayah Carter, Ethan Adams, Sahara Brewington, Roman Colley and Gabriel DeGracia.
Benton, Godby and Vargas are old people. Benton is the team captain. Malone, Francis and Moreland are co-captains.
Moreland attends Woodland High. Vargas attends Locust Grove High. Adams and DeGracia attend Hampton High.