The girl’s Manual varsity cross-country team finished one point below second place at the state cross-country race this year.  The girl’s team was considered one of the top teams this year, and was constantly battling for the number one ranking throughout the year. Despite their success of finishing third overall, much of the team still felt disappointment. They felt like they didn’t have a strong last race, and if they had, they could have won the state championship. Still, the team remains optimistic for what the future hold, as they have all of their varsity runners returning for next year.

The boy’s Manual varsity cross-country team did not finish in the top five teams at the state championship. The team’s reason for this was number one runner Reece John’s (12) back giving out in the middle of the race, which ultimately crushed their chances of meeting team expectations for the state championship. Reece Johns had a benign tumor in his back that became aggravated in the final race, which greatly hindered his performance and placement.  “It was an unfortunate race for the guy’s team, but despite this we’re keeping our heads up, and training harder for next year,” Manual runner Jack Grundy (11) said after the race. The team is losing senior runner Reece Johns next year, but the rest of their varsity runners are returning.

By: Clayton Olash