Cross country teams place at the state finals
On Saturday Nov. 8 boys’ and girls’ cross country competed for the Illinois state title. The boys’ team strived for back to back state titles from their 2013 season. However, there was a setback when the team placed second in sectionals.
Varsity is made up of seven main runners, including Griffin Gartner, senior.
“[At sectionals] Sandburg ran so well it was ridiculous,” Gartner said.
Central was favored to win, but the runners struggled during the race. Two runners fell, and one did not run at all. However, Gartner was optimistic about this year’s state final.
“Beating [Sandburg] is going to be tough, but we have a chance,” Gartner said when thinking ahead to State. The boys did go on to beat Sandburg and took home another State title.
“We won because, even after losing a devastating race at sectionals, we kept our heads up and knew we were capable of so much more,” Gartner said.
Girls’ cross country also competed for the 2014 State title. The girls, who won sectionals, were shooting for first place.
“The win at sectionals was a team effort,” said Susan Spencer, senior varsity runner. “We all performed well.”
The girls were also hopeful for the state championship and ended well with a fourth place finish at State.
“We trained well and hoped for the best,” Spencer said.
Although the girls wanted first place, they ended the season on a high note and left the varsity runners with a great memory.
“We are really proud of our accomplishments and our season as a whole,” said Molly Leahy, senior varsity runner.
Congratulations to both teams.
