Cross country will end its season strong by sending Sydney Purcha to state this Saturday.

“I have mixed emotions. I am happy that I am going but I feel like the whole team should have gone,” said Sydney Purcha, freshman.

The viper girls cross country team advanced to regionals after placing third at district. At district seven runners ran; Nikki Keys, Sydney Purcha , Lexi Vukelic, Isabella Chestney, Corrine Delius, Haley Conroy and Sydney Sabel. Sydney Purcha placed ninth and advanced to state. Lexi Vukelic placed fourteenth, Isabella Chestney placed twentieth, Haley Conroy placed fifty fourth, Corinne Delius placed fifty fifth and Sydeny Sabel placed ninety first.

“We had a really great season and everyone worked really hard. It paid off because we didn’t even expect to make it out of district and we almost made it to state,” said Isabella Chestney, sophomore.

Overall, the girls cross country team was ranked fourth at regionals and was only eleven points away from making it to state.

When asked about the regional meet Coach Helm said “I think the team realized it’s all about coming together and peaking at the right time.”

Sydney is now preparing for the state meet. Her training includes long distance running as well as sprinting and cross training.

“We are not trying to build speed, just maintain it,” said Purcha.

Overall, Coach Helm feels the team has had a really good season and is optimistic for next year. He feels that the team became a family and learned to respect one another, over the course of the season.

“This season was all about creating a culture that builds each other up and I think we did just that,” said Helm.