KERNERSVILLE - Green Hope cross country coach Roger Collins met with his girls' team the night before the 4A championships, and it was then he knew for sure his Falcons were ready.

Some might contend that Green Hope has been ready for the last three years, but Collins knows his Falcons have never rested on their laurels. That mentality led to an easy state title Saturday, making it the third straight year Green Hope was won the 4A girls' state championship.

Green Hope scored just 37 points to easily defeat the field at Beeson Park in Kernersville. The next closest team was Charlotte's Ardrey Kell with 104 points.

"We didn't take this year for granted at all," Collins said. "For us, it was not about the years before and defending anything, but going after it. It's a great group to work with every day."

Green Hope will say goodbye to four seniors from the five who scored points Saturday. The only underclassman, Maura McDonnell (fourth, 18 minutes, 4 seconds), was also the fastest of the group.

McDonnell was joined by Erica Amatori (seventh, 18:26) in the top 10, and by Jessi Rossabi (11th, 18:43), Lauren Colberg (12th, 18:44), Sarah Alexander (18th, 18:54) and freshman Theresa Enright (20th, 18:56) in the top 20.

Millbrook's Samatha George won the 4A girls' race in a course-record time of 17:31.

Panther Creek freshman Rebekah Greengrass proved she is a name to remember in future years as she finished sixth (18:05) to earn all-state honors.

Sears is second

Panther Creek senior Jacob Sears finished runner-up in the 4A boys race with a time of 15:44.

Sears was the top Triangle finisher, edging local elite runners including Cary's Bakri Abushouk (fifth, 16:04.10), East Chapel Hill's Sam Miner (sixth, 16:04.69) and Broughton's Sam Roberson (11th, 16:16).

It was also the best any Catamounts runner had done at the state championships.

"I hung in the back of the lead pack for the first mile," Sears said.

"Then Roberson and Blackmon took off, so I decided to stay in that little pack and see how many I could pick off in that last mile and a half."

Broughton edged Winston-Salem Mt. Tabor 91-100 to win the 4A team title.

Cary's Abel Tecle ran a 16:24 to finish 21st overall.