On October 21, the Varsity Boys and Girls Cross Country teams made their way to New Carlisle, Indiana to compete in the New Prairie Regionals. While both teams worked and trained hard this season, the result of this meet concluded the year for all but three individuals who advanced to the state meet ran in Terre Haute, IN.
This year, the Lady Trojans had a successful regular season and an even stronger postseason. During their regular season, the Lady Trojans achieved many new personal records. The Trojans also placed 3rd at the Larry James invite at Sunset Hill. The top runners were senior Ali Sierazy (20:27) in 9th place and sophomore Allison Van Kley (20:51) in 18th place. The post-season began at Sunset Hill where the Trojans hosted Sectionals. The Trojans placed 4th and the top runners included freshman Jessica Martin (19:57) in 8th place and Sierazy (20:01) in 10th place. The ladies then made their way to compete in the New Prairie Regionals where they placed 6th overall. The Trojans were just a few points away from qualifying for the state meet as a team, but two runners did qualify for the individual state meet.
Last weekend, Sierazy and Martin competed individually at Lavern Gibson in Terre Haute. Sierzay tied her PR at 19:36 and placed 131st overall. Martin earned 169th place at 20:05. Both girls accomplished impressive times and made their team proud.
“After surgery, I never thought I would get to this point…I was really happy because that was the fastest I’ve ever gone in my life and I was able to do it again at such a difficult course…It was really special to me to be able to get there and represent our school along with my teammate, Jessica,” said Sierazy on tying her PR and competing at state.
Being just a freshman, Martin had her first experience at the Lavern Gibson Course, and was able to feel the nerves that come along with running at state.
“It was really scary and I was excited to go there, but there’s not a lot of freshmen there so all the people I was running against were all older than me…but it made me happy knowing that I was doing it for my school,” said Martin on competing at state during her freshman year.
The Lady Trojans weren’t the only ones to have a successful season this year. The Boys Varsity Cross Country team had many memorable moments and highlights from their season as well. At the Bob Thomas Invitational in Lowell, Chesterton placed 3rd. Senior Evan O’Connor (17:11.0) earned 13th place and freshman Spencer Martin came in 14th place just behind him at 17:11:6. The boys participated in the Sunset Hill Sectionals and placed 3rd, advancing to the New Prairie Regionals. At Regionals, O’Connor earned 3rd and led his team again with a time of 16:24. Martin followed in 7th place with his time at 16:57. The Trojans earned 10th place at the New Prairie Regionals. They missed qualifying at state as a team, but O’Connor placed 7th at 16:04 and qualified for state as an individual. O’Connor concluded his senior season at state and earned 31st place with a fantastic time of 15:46.
“It was kind of bittersweet because it was my last high school race, but it felt good to represent the team,” said O’Connor on finishing the last race of his high school career.
While the teams turn their attention toward offseason training and track and field, they are both looking forward to continuing to build the XC program. If you see any of the CHS Cross Country State Finalists, congratulate them on their outstanding achievements!
