Perra Harrell of the Grace Christian Academy junior-high cross-country team is the Georgia Independent Schools Association (GISA) Class AA state champion.

She won the championship Wednesday, Oct. 12, at Stratford Academy in Macon, Ga. Her time was 9 minutes, 58 seconds. Eighty-three runners representing 17 schools from throughout the state competed in the 1.6-mile state championship event.

This is Harrell’s third year competing in the Lady Cougars’ cross-country program.

Harrell, an eighth grader and the daughter of Mike and Leslie Harrell, was the Lady Cougars’ only representative in the junior-high state meet.

The junior-high and high-school Lady Cougars are coached by Julie Harris.