Cross Country Crushes It at States

The Cross Country team had an extremely successful season, concluding at the state meet in Hershey, Pennsylvania, on November 1. The girls’ team consisted of senior Courtney Carlson, senior Justine Smith, junior Cara Rapin, junior Clara Stancik, freshman Liv Thomas, Vali Morales, and freshman Ellington Buck. Senior Brady Lasher and freshman Ryan Blaszko represented the boys’ team. Before race day, the team took a quick trip to Hershey’s Chocolate Factory, and later night, the team had a motivational talk with Coach Mark Lacianca and some Halloween fun.

The next day, the team was ready to take on the course. The meet included about 1,600 runners from all over Pennsylvania, with about 200 people in each race. Carlson described the meet as “a very-high-energy, competitive, and exciting environment, with parents shoulder to shoulder on the side shouting and encouraging runners!” With the meet being last, the girls team did their best with unfortunate sickness and fatigue from the long season. These setbacks didn't stop this fierce cross country team, though; the girls’ team did a fantastic job, placing eleventh overall in the state, and the boys followed after. Lasher had a strong finish, and Blaszko finished fiftieth, making him the fastest freshman in the state for cross country. Overall, the team had a fabulous season, creating many memories, and setting personal records. The state meet was nothing but the perfect ending to a marvelous season!