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| Girls Cross Country Running Strong
October 3, 2008 |
| GFS Girls cross country took a big step forward towards becoming a competitive team in the region with a strong showing at the Paul Short Run at Lehigh University on October 3rd. One of the premier running events in Pennsylvania it features both college and high school races with over 80 high school teams represented.
The day was perfect for running with clear skies and cool temperatures and the rolling 5K course held the promise of fast times, especially for a team that has to call Belmont Plateau their home. The 10 representatives for the varsity made the cut for the Brown Division (fast heat!) of the race and toed the line with 34 other teams, including three 2007 State champs and teams from NJ, NY. DE and PA. With over 300 runners, this was by far the largest field the Tigers had ever faced.
Junior Jasia Kaulbach continuing her fine '08 form ran another smart competitive race the resulted in a huge :37 second PR, 12th place finish and a time of 19:06. Her first mile was clocked at 5:58 and she held up well at the head of a small pack in about 15th place through the relatively hilly middle mile before she found a powerful finishing kick over the last 1/2 mile. Senior Madeline Hawes also had a personal best of 20:00 and came in 49th place. Ashleigh Frank is showing the results of recent solid training as she trimmed over a minute off her PR to finish at 20:31 and 90th. Next up for the Tigers was the ever solid Kat Celata at 21:44 (another PR) in 193rd place. The surprise of the meet was Taya Friedan who rallied after some recent disappointments for a quick 22:10- another huge PR. She was pushed the entire race by fellow senior Kendra Mayberry and they crossed the line together with identical times. Soph Jess Love, running her first varsity race, was more than up to the challenge, taking another :33 off her personal best with a 22:45. Rounding out the varsity squad were Camilla Warren and Ava Samuel.
The team finished 23rd with a top 5 average time of 20:42. For perspective, race winners Emmaus averaged a phenomenal 19:09 and placed 3-11-14-19-30. Next best was Cumberland Valley with an average of 19:28. Another fun fact: in the middle of the race girls were crossing the line at an average of 1 runner every 1/2 second!
The JV race was nearly as large with 221 finishers and the GFS contingent was right in the thick of the action. Soph Addie Hoffman started the race strong and led the GFS sextet through most of the race, only to have speedy freshman Kris Kelly outkick her over the last 400 meters. Kelly was clocked in 23:19 good for 80th place with Addie at 23:32 for 89th – both big PR's. Avery Stern finally found her form and a PR as well as did Lexi Brown and frosh Allie Daniels. Danaya Etheridge had a season best to complete the scoring for GFS.
"No Regrets" has become a bit of a motto for the team this season and the showing at Paul Short exemplified their competitive spirit showing that, though they have some work to do before challenging for a top finish at Paul Short, that they are well on their way.
The Tigers last home meet will be on Tuesday October 7 at Belmont Plateau.
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