On Nov. 10, the Georgia High School Association held the Cross Country State Championship for all qualifying class 2A through 6A schools in Carrollton. The North Paulding girls’ team finished 11th overall in 5A.

Of all the runners, there was one that finished in the top 10 from the county, Ashley Taylor.

A junior, Taylor placed eighth among 5A runners with a time of 20:35.98.

Not only did she have the best time that day for the county, but Taylor also placed higher than any other female runner from a Paulding school has ever placed at state, according to Paulding County School System athletic records.

While Taylor ran well at state, it followed a few slipups during the season.

“Ashley had some setbacks this season with a few injuries, but she really bounced back when it mattered — at state. She is a clutch performer and always runs her best at the state meet,” said head coach Michael McGuire.

Taylor has been running cross country since the eighth grade, but McGuire said this was probably the best he has ever seen her run.

As a junior, Taylor still has one more year of high school eligibility and with that year, McGuire said there are a couple goals that she has already set for herself.

“Ashley has never won a region championship so I believe that will be a major goal for her,” said McGuire.