The girls cross country team awoke to a devastating regional championship on Thursday. The state bound lady eagles were plagued by illness and minor injury to their 3rd and 6th runners. "Cross country in some ways is the ultimate team sport. I have always preached the importance of our 6-10 runners. How important the very last person on our team is and how they push the one in front of them. Today proved that point probably more than anyone would like to admit," said Graham. With Redmond being sick she toughed it out and gave us the best shot she could. Closely behind was Jimenez Capo who also had a toe injury battling it out as well. "The depth to push us out of regionals without those two just simply wasn't there."

On a positive note Lainee Mercer also fighting her own injuries battled through and placed second in the field of 112 athletes. Cementing runner up status pretty easily and advanced to state. Graham also praised the rest of his teams performances as Allen, Hoyt, Rosario, and Osorio had perhaps their best performances of the year.

It's a hard way to finish the season but we had a great chat on the way back home about how this team has zero girls graduating. With some freshman incoming that may build the roster and everyone returning this team could be something special in the years to come.

Lainee will race on Saturday next week in hopes of reaching the podium at the state cross country meet. She races at 7:20 AM at FSU.