Cary Academy distance runner Thomas Graham ran the fastest time ever by a N.C. high school athlete in the 5,000-meter run at the Raleigh Relays on Friday.

That time also places him 15th all-time among high school runners the United States.

Thomas Graham of Cary Academy, who won four N.C. Independent School Athletic Association state cross country championships, has been selected as the 2011-12 Gatorade North Carolina Boys cross country runner of the year.

The state's first four-time N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association cross country champion had his pick of running anywhere in college.

Durham Academy freshman Eliza Dekker won the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association girls’ state cross country title and set the tone for Triangle-area schools in chilly conditions on Saturday at McAlpine Park.

After Dekker’s victory, the titles kept coming.

Thomas Graham of Cary Academy finished second in the New Balance Nationals 5,000 meters race on Thursday in Greensboro.

On Saturday, four area runners placed in the top 10 at the National Footlocker South Regional Cross Country meet in Charlotte, which qualifies them for the National Footlocker Cross Country Meet in San Diego on Dec. 11.

Thomas Graham of Cary Academy won his third consecutive N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association cross country championship Friday in Montreat.
Carl Ward and Fred Ward of Durham Academy were second and third, but 40 seconds behind Graham’s winning 15:52.0.