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By Annie Myers

While warming up, senior Jakob Coacher and sophomore Greg Haynes run alongside members of the boys cross country team at the regionals meet on Saturday, Oct. 22. Haynes thinks that the team will do well at state, and that the goal is "definitely still in reach."

On Saturday, Oct. 22 at Johnson County Community College, the cross country teams competed against four other teams to claim a spot at state. After completing th

e three mile course, the boys team placed second, behind Saint Thomas Aquinas, and the girls team placed third, behind Saint James Academy and Saint Thomas Aquinas.

Led by junior Britton Nelson, who placed third individually, the girls managed to beat Blue Valley Southwest.

“As a team, we are really happy. Our goal was to beat Southwest and qualify for state and we did that,” Nelson said. “We placed third and the freshmen girls and the other two girls did exactly what they needed to to place themselves ahead to score the points we needed.”

Personally, Nelson is content with how she performed.

“Individually, I was really happy with my performance, I got third. I was able to stay up there with the two Aquinas girls for most of the race, so that was pretty good and they helped me push pace,” Nelson said.

Freshman Jenna Walker was also content with her performance, but was uneasy at first.

“I think I did pretty good compared to other meets. It was just kind of nerve wracking to get out there and try to beat the other girls, but I think I did pretty good,” Walker said.

The boys team was lead by sophomore Greg Haynes, who placed seventh individually, who overall felt his and the team’s performance was good.

“I think I did pretty well, not my best, but I think I did what the team needed. I just went out there to be a front-runner and tried to stay up there with Aquinas’ top guys,” Haynes said. “ [As a team] we did well, but there’s definitely some things we need to work on this upcoming week and kind of just get ready for state.”

As both teams prepare for state, junior Gavin Overbeck, who placed 13th individually, believes the practices will be more relaxed.

“[We’ll] just take it easy next week and just get mentally prepared. We’re looking to medal at state… first or second, Overbeck said.

Cross country will compete at state on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Rim Rock Farms.