Placing first at district and regionals, the girls cross country team made a strong run for state. Leading this powerful team is junior Taylor Grona who placed first or second at all of the meets she attended this year. Grona averages a time of 11:20, and is accompanied by a dynamic team that includes juniors AnnClaire Cop, Audrey Herrera, Stephanie Neri, sophomores Ava Stuewe, Anna Munoz, Hannah Kruse, Valeria Ramirez, and freshmen Rilyn Grona, Ella Leroux, and Izzy Reeh.

  The team has placed first at every meet prior to state. At regionals, the girls cross country team won first by 48 points, but that would not be possible without each other. Taylor Grona, Cop, Munoz, Stuewe and Rilyn Grona all contributed to the first place title at regionals, with three of them placing in the top ten. 

Although the team qualified for state, it would still be difficult to place in the top three. The running conditions consisted of rain and wind, so it was one of the toughest meets the girls had faced all season. 

“The weather definitely had a negative impact on the team and me. It made the course difficult to see, and made our nerves go up.” said Cop. “Before the race, we prayed and reminded ourselves that other teams have a very negative mindset towards the weather conditions. We knew we had to think positive and overcome our negative thoughts before starting the race.” 

Despite weather conditions, the girls cross country team placed second behind a strong Celina team. Taylor Grona (2nd), Cop (11th), and Rilyn Grona (9th) all placed in the top 15 and were also part of the CCAT All State Honors. Also scoring at the state meet were Stuewe and Munoz. Coach Aldrich was very impressed with this year’s team, but is ready for another chance next year to take home gold. 

“We have everyone returning again next season with our team focus already set on continuing to develop everyone so that we can go make a run at the state title next year,” said Aldrich.