Cross country teams finish strong at conference championship

Rose+Menyhert%2C+12%2C+sprints+to+the+finish+at+the+Greater+Miami+Conference+championships.+Menyhert+led+the+team+to+a+fifth+place+finish.+Both+the+boys+and+girls+cross+country+teams+will+have+to+place+in+the+top+four+at+Districts+to+advance+to+Regionals.+Photo+Courtesy+of+Sarah+Guckenberger.+

Rose Menyhert, 12, sprints to the finish at the Greater Miami Conference championships. Menyhert led the team to a fifth place finish. Both the boys and girls cross country teams will have to place in the top four at Districts to advance to Regionals. Photo Courtesy of Sarah Guckenberger.

This past weekend the boys and girls cross country teams competed at the Greater Miami Conference championships at Voice of America Park. The two Varsity teams finished in third and fifth, respectively.

Leading the girls team was Rose Menyhert, 12, who finished fifth in a time of 19:00. Kyria Graves, 11, led the boys team with a time of 16:10 for a 5k, an average mile of 5:12.

“We were missing a few of our Varsity members, so I think we would have done slightly better if we had raced our whole lineup,” sophomore Jessica Wocks said.

Some girls were out due to injury; others were being rested for the week so they would be at full strength for the upcoming district race.

The next step of post-season is Districts. In order to advance to the Regional championships, both teams must place in the top four in their District.

“We didn’t make it last year, so I think that is our main team goal this year,” sophomore Allison Kossen said.

Last year, the boys team placed second at Districts, a spot that easily advanced them to Regionals. The girls, however, placed sixth and will need to place at least fourth if they hope to make it.

“I think if everyone does their part we can make it,” Kossen said.

For the full GMC results, click here.