Iron Horse cross country teams win state titles; Avah Mallek leads pack

Josh Michael teaches Health Science at Philip Simmons High School, where he also serves as the coach of the school’s cross country program. 

If he were to look for a side job, curator of the Iron Horse trophy case might be the perfect fit. 

After all, he and his teams have vested interest in the place where they display the spoils of athletic success. 

The Iron Horse girls' and boys' teams ruled the day at the Class AA state meet Nov. 14 at the Aiken Steeplechase. Both teams were ultra-impressive and were crowned state champs. All 10 of their top finishers earned all-state honors. 

That gave the Iron Horses athletics program 18 state championship trophies in the nine years the school has been open. Six of the trophies have been won by Michael’s harriers in his seven-year tenure. 

The Iron Horses girls captured their fourth consecutive state title with a 39-46 victory over Landrum High School as senior Avah Mallek was crowned the individual state champ for the third straight year. 

The Iron Horse boys won their second straight state title with a 37-54 victory over Magnet. Brashier was third with 78 points. 

It was a great year when 80 student-athletes were on the roster to begin the season. Michael, who was coached by his father, David, takes the family approach when it comes to mentoring and coaching his runners. 

Both the boys and girls practice together to create a family atmosphere. And they celebrate together. 

“We had about 70 finish the season through natural attrition,” Michael said. “Not everyone who competes in cross country runs because they want to win a state championship. Some run because their friends are on the team. Some run to get in better shape. The reasons vary.” 

But the success remains the same. 

Mallek capped a brilliant career with her third straight individual gold medal. She crossed the finish line 17 seconds ahead of the pack. Laura Perry was fourth while Flynn Taylor was 10th. Keziah Varner was 12th, and Stella Wininger was 15th. 

Matthew Perry led the Iron Horse boys with a fourth-place finish in 16 minutes and 20.67 seconds, while Trent Manning was fifth and Grady Castiglia was seventh. Brian Stambaugh and Griffin Tollison also earned all-state honors, finishing ninth and 12th, respectively. 

Michael said having all 10 runners earn all-state honors was “quite a feat. It’s not very often that happens. That’s where we are blessed. We are deep, deep with kids who work hard and want to get better.” 

He also had praise for Mallek, who remains uncommitted but is leaning toward running for Wofford University. 

“She’s a senior, so it was a great sendoff,” Michael said. “She won three straight state titles. You can count on one or two hands the number of runners who have accomplished that. There’s not too many runners who have done that. 

“She’s been all-state since the seventh grade and has been a member of four state championship teams,” Michael added. “That is quite a career.”