Submitted Photo: Annie Christie

Annie Christie, varsity cross-country runner and senior, runs at the State meet on Oct. 31. Christie placed third overall and said she was proud of the outcome of the race.

The varsity women’s cross-country team placed first at the IHSAA State meet on Oct. 31. The team was led by Annie Christie, cross-country runner and senior, who placed third overall.

Christie said she was proud of the team’s performance and the outcome of the State meet.

“I was super super pleased with the outcome. I went in just wanting to give it my all for the team and that’s what I did. Going from not running in the State meet last year to placing third is something that I’m super proud of myself for, but I’m even more proud of the way my team stepped up. Turning around after my race and seeing Alivia and Cara giving their all was something that I was super proud of,” Christie said. “This is something our team has wanted ever since we lost the winning streak my freshman year. We have worked so hard this year both in workouts and outside of workouts to make sure our team was where we needed to be at State. Nobody gave up and I’m just super proud of all of us. “

Now that the tournament season has come to a close, Head Coach Andrew Dalton said the team is beginning to transition into training for national meets.

“As far as the regular tournament season, it finished on Saturday and now some of the girls are sticking around to do a national meet in two weeks at LaVern (Gibson Championship Cross Country Course). The meet is called the XC Town USA Meet of Champions.” Dalton said.

Christie said the team is continuing to train for the meet.

“We only have one meet left this season and it’s a national meet. It’s kind of replacing Nike Cross Regionals that would usually be that weekend but because of COVID-19 it was cancelled,” Christie said. “In terms of our training for it, we have bumped up the training this week. We’re doing two hard workouts this week and a long run, which is what typical training looks like during the season, but then next week we’re going to taper, which just means next week will be a little easier so that our legs are fresh for the meet.”

The team will run in the XC Town USA Championships at LaVern Gibson Championship XC Course on Nov. 15.

Information on the XC Town USA Championships can be found at https://www.nationalscholastic.org/article/2553