Girls’ Cross Country has had a very successful season. Sophomore Sophia Anderson has participated in 11 races and placed top five in all of them. She has been running on the team for two years and has placed in state both times. The girls’ state meet this year, was hosted at The Kentucky Horse Park.
“We got ninth overall for girls,” Anderson said.
When participating in such a big race even placing in the top ten is a big accomplishment for the team.
“Seven [girls on the team] ran for state and nine [were running] just for practicing,” Anderson said. “About 300 [girls ran in the state meet].”
Running in such a big race means that the athletes not only have to prepare physically, but mentally.
“I did my warm up [as usual],” Anderson said. “[The team] talked about [the race] at practice. We were pretty calm.”
The race had high stakes, but on top of that the course was 100 meters longer.
“[I ran the] 5k,” Anderson said. “I got 20 minutes and 19 seconds.”
Not only was the course longer than it normally is, the surface running was difficult to deal with as well.
“[The course was] rocky,” Anderson said. “[It also had] gravel and grass.”
The course, the pressure, and the competition are all aspects of a cross country meet. To be successful, it all starts in the mind.
“My mindset was not to get pushed off to the side,” Anderson said. “[Also] not to get run over.”
The state meet put lots of pressure on the runners. It is their last race of the season and they need to have good results.
“[This race had] a lot more people,” Anderson said. “[It was also] more competitive.”
The team had a very successful season and they hope to keep the positive spirits going into the next year.
