By Clark Campbell

   For the first time in eight years the Tempe Prep high-school cross country team has qualified for the State meet. 

   This season, the girls’ cross country unit qualified to run in the state cross country meet after their success in the Sectionals meet. 

   After the sectional meet, it appeared that the girls didn’t qualify, but as the last runner from another team finished, the rules accepted one more team into the state meet, allowing Tempe Prep to qualify.  This achievement, however, didn’t occur without hard work and endurance.. Senior Hannah Chadwick says, “As a whole we have been putting a lot more effort into the sport and encouraging each other.” Although cross country may seem like an individual sport, to qualify as a whole team, the girls had to cooperate and communicate to place high enough to qualify for State.. 

   During the season, both the girls’ and boys’ teams made giant leaps in running times.. In the third meet, the freshmen runners achieved personal records and inspired the rest of the team to set personal goals, contributing to their determination to improve significantly.. 

   After the third meet, the team continued to make progress. Coach Doc Hickernell says that the girls’ team had depth this year, which aided in their success in the sectional meet. They also boosted their practice schedule by running up to eight miles in one practice. Overall in the high-school cross country season, the team performed exceptionally well by qualifying for the state meet and making history.