At the McNeil Invitational, one of the largest cross country meets in the nation with more than 3,500 athletes, Amelia McElhiney, an Elite runner, took sixth place out of 196 runners, while two JV girls placed in the top 10 in their division. Shelby McCaa came in fourth place and Kate Bean placed ninth out of 387 entrants.

“We’re the strongest we’ve been,” sophomore Lauren Henson said.

“This is supposed to be our number one year when we make it to state and everything,” sophomore Ke’ala Barron said.

Barron was only three places short of making it into the top 10. However, at each race this year, at least one girl has placed in top 10.

“We are expecting to do well at district and qualify to go to region,” Henson said.

“We have to be ready to come to practice every day,” Barron said. “We also have to give up some of our time – social time.”

The girls train in the mornings, always trying to better themselves. In order to train hard, they have to keep fit.

“Definitely eat well, because if you don’t, it really affects you. As soon as you eat better, you are just better in general,” Henson said.

They also make sure to work well with each other within the team.

“I like that our team is like a big family. Everyone’s really nice and close with each other,” Henson said. “If we’re ever having problems running, or just schoolwise, or anything – everyone’s really encouraging.”

It has been this relationship that has gotten them this far.

“The highest point of the year would be our varsity coming together and training harder than we have before,” Barron said.