On Thursday, Nov 4, at Les Bolstad Golf Course, girls cross country competed in the state finals. The boys didn’t qualify but many of them were still there to support their fellow teammates who were racing. The Spartans put on a good performance for their final meet of the season.

Gallery • 8 Photos

Thomas Kovarik

ONE STEP AT A TIME. Freshman Paloma Good finds her pace, inching towards the end.

They began to all gather fifteen minutes before the starter gun would be fired and the race would officially begin. Everybody on the team was warming up by doing dynamic stretches and small jogs around the practice area.

Boys cross country captain Ian Grewey showed up to the meet to cheer on the girls.“I think they are going to do great, no matter how it ends up, they have had their ups and downs this season, so we’re all just happy to be here,” Grewey said. “I am definitely very excited, because I have been thinking of this for a very long time.”.

Before the race started, the athletes were all talking with each other, trying to ease nerves and discuss strategy. Three minutes before the race was set to start, all the girls gathered in the area designated for SPA and took position. When the countdown ended and the gun was shot, everyone started sprinting, starting their 5K loop around the course.

It was a close and dramatic race. In the end, Taylor Barkwell was the top performing Spartan, placing 51st in the race out of 160 runners. Maren Overgaard placed 101st, and Carys Hardy placed 111th in the race.

This state final was the final race of the season for Spartan cross country. The girls were able to run in the finals and many of the boys runners were there to support them. Overall, the team was proud of their efforts throughout the last few months and look forward to next year.