Girl’s XC Team Rising to the Top

Westminsters Cross Country team kicks off the season with the girls team earning two incredible victories, getting first place as a team at both Sullivan and Spanish lakes. The Cross Country team has a history of being strong, getting second at districts in 2016, and this year they plan to be even stronger.

The first meet at Sullivan high school the girls Varsity did very well with four varsity runners placing in the top five, winning the race as a whole. Isabella Francois lead the way for her team coming in first place. The JV also came out strong taking home first place as a team.

The following week the girls team persevered through the intense heat at Spanish lakes and took home another first place victory. Four of the varsity girls made it in the top 10 out of approximately 100 girls racing. Ava Hollman secured second place with an outstanding time of 20:36:71. Isabella Francois came in right behind her at 20:59:93. Overall the average time for the varsity girls was 21:39, an amazing time to start the season.
Recently the team faced tough competition at the famous Jefferson-Barracks meet, running in the Class 3 division. The hilly course and above 100 degree heat index was no match for the girls as they braved the course, getting fourth place overall.

Ava Hollman had an outstanding race, setting a new PR (Personal Record) and getting third place as an individual. “Overall, I was very happy with my race, and I PR’d by one second. I was just so ecstatic about how we did as a team, and in a sport that is so reliant on every single person for a good score, it’s amazing to know that we tied for third with a team that has one at state several times” said Ava Hollman. The girls team made history by tying with Festus High School which has never been done before.

The coaches are excited about how well the team is doing and plan for many more successes to come. As districts approach the girls are working hard to improve their times, hoping to get first place as a team and continue on to State.
Kathryn Kramer, team captain and X.C. runner of four years, states, “The team is the strongest it’s been since I joined Cross Country. All the girls are so hardworking and I don’t have a doubt in my mind that they won’t give their all for the team.” Districts are in one month and the girls plan to come out harder and stronger then they have ever been before.