BY MIKE BLACKERBY
Calysta Garmer had her best race of the cross-country season just when it counted the most for the powerhouse Webb School Lady Spartans.
Garmer’s first individual win of the season – and first of her high school career – came on the sport’s biggest stage and earned her 5Star Preps Girls Runner of the Year honors for 2024.
The junior standout was the initial runner to cross the finish line at the Division II-AA state championships Nov. 7 at Sanders Ferry Park in Hendersonville.
Garmer finished the 3.1-mile course in 17 minutes, 46.55 seconds to edge her twin sister, Jazzlyn Garmer, who placed second in 17:53.37.
Teammate Carolina Areheart, another of Webb’s Big 3 runners, was third in 17:57.36 as the Lady Spartans posted a whopping 69-point victory over Girls Preparatory School and repeated as state champions.
“Calysta hadn’t won a race all year and had been our third runner all season up until that point,” said Webb coach Dan Murray.
“It surprised a lot of people that she won, but it was not a shocker to me. She had been our hottest runner in practice for 10 days (leading up to state). She was just in the zone for those 10 days.”
Garmer said everything just seemed to come together for her at the right time.
“Leading up to state I had a string of really good workouts,” she said.
“I was doing harder workouts and felt stronger. That fueled me and made me more confident leading up to state,” Garmer continued.
“I was really focused going into the meet and wanted to show everyone what I had been doing.”
COMPETITION FUELS SUCCESS
Murray said the Garmer sisters and Areheart feed off each other.
He said all three are talented and driven.
“Calysta has got an elite runner in the bunk across from her at home, and all three synergize one another. All three of them have been No. 1 for us at one point this season,” continued Murray.
“All of them are very ambitious. If I do my job we’re going to have a fluid No. 1 runner.”
Garmer said every day in practice in like running in a state meet.
“It’s a pretty competitive group,” she said.
“We’re really able to push each other.”
MOVING FORWARD
Given her temperament and the way she ended the season, Murray said the sky is the limit for Garmer in 2025 as she returns for her senior year.
“Calysta is just a special kid who is always there with a smile on her face,” said Murray.
“She’s in it (running) for all of the right reasons. She understands the grit and tenacity it takes and is able to handle adversity,” continued Murray.
“Calysta can crack 17 minutes for 5K, which would put her in very elite company. You’ve got athletes who can run, and people who were born to do it. She’s in the second category.”