This year’s AA girls cross country meet is shaping up to be a three-way battle for the top spot between Wesleyan, Lovett, and the Wildcats. After the Last Chance Invitational at Carrollton, where the Cats pulled out the win with a score of 70 points to Lovett’s 87, the team, captained by seniors Kay Crawford and Caroline Midis, looks to be in a strong position.

“[Lovett and Wesleyan] are pretty much always the toughest competition,” said junior Mary Boyd Crosier, “but Wesleyan is definitely the one to beat in our region.”

Despite struggling with injuries among top runners this season, most notably sophomore Charlotte Folinus who holds the number one spot on the team, the girls cross country team remains optimistic as they race toward the state meet.

“We’ve definitely had some injuries we’ve had to struggle with this year,” said Crawford, “but hopefully we’ll all be healthy, fired up, and ready to go for state.” Coach Amy Eubanks, who has coached the Cats to 14 of their stunning 25 state victories, agrees, adding that the girls have been working hard all season and are sure to be prepared come race time the morning of Saturday, Nov. 9.

“It’s going to be a very exciting race,” said Eubanks, “and I know that when our girls step up to the line they’ll give it their best shot.” Of the seven runners who will line up to represent the team in the state meet at Carrollton, joining seniors Lexy Rouse, Kay Crawford, and Elyse Ensor four will be underclassmen – sophomores Charlotte Folinus, Margaret Maxwell, and Carson Simon and freshman Gabby Bunnell, making this an unusually young team, and ensuring that this sisterhood will have staying power for years to come.

“I’m definitely optimistic,” said Crosier, “we have a lot of strong talent and a lot of new runners who have really stepped up to the plate”

Charlotte Folinus echoed Croiser’s confidence about the team’s chances at state.

“Everyone’s going to kill it at state,” said Folinus. “We’re going to be in the best shape we can, and if everyone goes out there and really competes we have a solid chance of winning.”

But, at the end of the day, the team knows it’s not all about winning. It’s about the sisterhood forged by shared experiences, and it’s about pushing themselves to be the best they can be, supporting one another along the way.

“I’m really proud of all 112 girls,” said Crawford. “Win or lose, this season, like every season with the girls cross country team, will be one to remember for everyone who took part. Be it Christmas parties in the weight room or pushing one another through a particularly hard day of thousands, the girls on the team have made memories and cross-grade friendships that will last.”

It remains to be seen, but with a record like theirs, we all have high hopes that the team will pull out the win once again.