Savannah Arts Cross Country Teams Remained Undefeated
The Savannah Arts girls and boys cross country teams have secured championship victories in every race entered this season.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Track & Field
Live Poll
Would you attend high school cross-country meets in your community to support student athletes?
The Savannah Arts girls cross country team has achieved a perfect record, winning all six team championships they entered this season. Meanwhile, the boys team has also remained undefeated by winning all five races they participated in.
Why it matters
The teams are maintaining high performance levels as they pursue a third consecutive state championship. Their consistent results under coach Steve Ricciardi set the foundation for upcoming postseason competition.
Francie Tedder achieved a season-best 5K time of 19:06.44 on Sept. 26, approaching her personal best of 18:36.00 set last season. Additionally, top performers Klaras and Yang recorded season-best 5K times of 17:23.92 and 17:26.25 respectively.
The players
Savannah Arts
This is the Savannah-based school whose cross country teams have remained undefeated during the current season.
Steve Ricciardi
He is the coach responsible for maintaining the consistent training program that has led the school to its current undefeated status.
Francie Tedder
She is a runner on the girls team who won four races and finished second in another during the current season.
McKay Bennett
She is a member of the girls team who contributed four top-five finishes in five races this season.
The details
Coach Steve Ricciardi utilizes a consistent training program that encourages team members to attend sessions regularly throughout the season. McKay Bennett has bolstered the girls team performance by securing four top-five finishes across five races.
Timeline
Sept. 26: Francie Tedder recorded a season-best 5K time during a race.
Oct. 15: The team is scheduled to compete in the 10th Annual Run the Plank race in Brunswick.
Oct. 31: The team will participate in the state-qualifying Sectional Meet in Hazlehurst.
Season Trajectory
Savannah Arts is building momentum to challenge established programs like the Bleckley County boys team, which claimed the last two Class A Division I team state titles. A strong performance here significantly improves their positioning for the upcoming state-qualifying Sectional Meet.
The undefeated streak provides the girls and boys teams with significant momentum heading into the October 31 Sectional Meet. Success at this upcoming meet is essential for the teams to qualify for the state championship and maintain their title aspirations.
The takeaway
The sustained success of the Savannah Arts cross country teams demonstrates the impact of consistent, long-term training programs on athletic outcomes. Dedicated athletes can use this disciplined approach to steadily improve their personal records throughout the season.
What happens next
The team will compete in the 10th Annual Run the Plank race on Oct. 15 and the state-qualifying Sectional Meet on Oct. 31.
Further reading
For more updates on local competitions, visit the Track & Field section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Savannah Morning News.
Live Poll
Would you attend high school cross-country meets in your community to support student athletes?
