The women’s cross-country team won its third State championship at Terre Haute on Oct. 27. Carmel won with 66 points followed by runner-up West Lafayette with 147 points; Columbus North, 158; Franklin Central, 160; and HSE rounding out the top 5 with 173 points.

Head Coach Mark Ellington said that the team was ecstatic about winning the State meet once again. Ellington said that despite losing most of its senior class last year, the team has developed well together over the course of the season. He also said that the team will prepare year round for the season next year.

“The team ran a solid race and we really out-distanced our competition,” Ellington said. “(State championship) was quite enjoyable because we took early command and never really fell back.”

Kelcy Welch, varsity runner and junior, is also ecstatic from their championship. Welch said that out of the three State championships that she participated in, this one was her favorite since she proved that Carmel can still win even with losing their seniors from last year. Welch said that she is going to train hard over the off-season as she will participate in St. Vincent Strength training over the winter and participate in track over the spring.

“(State championship) was very fulfilling, since we were able to prove the doubters wrong at that meet,” Welch said.