Cross Country Repeats In '99
By Amy Sibbernsen
The Crusaders entered the race ranked third in Class A. "We talked before the race, and if we ran the way we could, we could win," said Coach Roger Wright. They finished with 54 points, 14 points ahead of Millard West for the team championship.
Senior Anna Jones led all runners with a time of 15:19.0. "It was exciting, it was great to win as a senior," said Jones. Jones and junior Laura Spanheimer led the Crusaders in a 1-2 finish. Followed by sophomore Michaela Lenihan in sixth, junior Mary Timmerman in 20th, senior Katy Weller in 28th, senior Liz Lenihan in 54th, and junior Kathleen Hoarty in 57th. The state championship team also include alternates, seniors Ann Potter and Ann Lamoureux. Lamoureux said, "It's awesome that we were able to do it two years in a row, and pull together at the right time."
Coach Wright was very pleased with the team's repeat finish. "The second one is just as fun as the first." Coach Wright was named the Metropolitan Conference Coach of the Year prior to the State championship race. The girls second that honor. "He's always very positive and never puts anyone down," said Timmerman.
The 1999 championship season was also highlighted with a trip to Charlotte, North Carolina. The Great American Cross Country Festival Race of Champions took place on Sept. 25. They were invited to this meet due to their previous performance at the 1998 State cross country championship. The team finished 13th of the 19 teams.
In the simple words of Coach Wright, "Repeat was fine in '99."