Lee Christian and Grace Christian each sent a contingent of runners to the fifth annual Liberty Kickoff, held Saturday morning at the GolfView Greenway in Hope Mills. A total of 25 high schools and track clubs competed in the event, which featured several local private schools and a few public schools from the area. Reigning NCISAA 1A state women’s cross-country champion Lee Christian sent three of its runners, including two members of the 2023 championship team in Brinn Deese and Juli Buie. The Falcon men sent seven runners. Grace Christian also signed up and sent a contingent of nine women and 19 men to run in the meet.