After not qualifying for state last year, girls cross country placed 11th at state this year.

Last year was the first year girls cross country didn’t qualify for state in 11 years.  They were the regional champions.  However, this year they were able to qualify for state again, but the team’s ultimate goal was to be top 10 in state.

“Although 11^th may not sound good in a school where state championships seem to be a monthly occurrence, we were proud of our 11^th place finish this year because we overcame a big disappointment from last season and didn’t get down on ourselves and dedicated ourselves to move forward,” said Jill Hardies, senior.

“We ran our best races at state and [the girls] walked away feeling good with what they accomplished,” said Mr. Mark McCabe, girls cross country coach.

During the season many of the girls had to overcome injuries and illness.  In the state competition Hardies had to run on her stress fracture and tendinitis that she developed at the end of the season.  Hardies placed 8^th in state and ran 12 seconds faster than last year.

“Everyone worked hard all year and there’s not one day in which we didn’t do what we needed to do to be the best we can be,” Hardies said.  The girls pushed themselves to the limit every day and also did little things such as eat right and getting to bed early.  Doing these things would put them at their peak for races.

Some highlights of their season were beating LT and DGN by a significant score, which is something they didn’t accomplish last year.

“I also think the state meet itself was a highlight because everyone stepped up and pushed through the huge pressure of state, and most of us ran really good races,” Hardies said.

McCabe is excited for what lies ahead next year because many of the girls that ran in state this year will be coming back next year.

The girls that ran at state this year were seniors Jill Hardies, Katie Gelman, and Becky Ventura.   Becca Marcotte, junior; Sophie May, sophomore; Emma Sullivan, freshman; and Sarah Brennan, sophomore also ran in state this year.