The Stillwater Cross Country team qualified for the state meet by placing seventh overall with a 5k split average of 16 minutes and 59 seconds at the Regionals meet held last weekend at Westmoore High School.
Several athletes participated in the regional cross country meet, which helped the Varsity Girls and Varsity Boys teams both qualify for state. They are each able to take seven from each team and two alternates.
One of the boys qualifiers, Mez Barth, placed first out of everyone with a time of 15:27.13. He believes that the support of his coaches and teammates helped him win the race.
“It makes practicing easier when you have other people around you,” Barth said. “And the support of the coaches just helps me to perform at my best.”
One of the Varsity girl runners had a big day at the regional meet as well.
“I PR’ed by 30 seconds, so that’s good,” said state qualifier Bella Martin.
Even though the teams had great performances at regionals, there are always improvements that can be made, Volunteer Coach Doug Klepper said.
“We can prepare mentally to run smarter, more relaxed and with added confidence, which always helps us run faster,” he said.
