The MSMS cross-country team traveled to South Pontotoc on Oct. 23 for the regional meet and concluded the season a week later at the MHSAA State Cross Country Championships in Clinton.
At South Pontotoc, Goen captain Nina Weinstein came in 34th with a time of 25:59 in the 2-mile run, and senior Isabel Beckman finished 35th with a time of 26:05. Juniors Cider Griffin and Shaniya Williams followed in 37th and 70th with times of 26:19 and 35:56, respectively.
Frazer senior Jasmaan Banipal came in 34th in the 2-mile run with a time of 20:13, and junior Ashton Wood placed 39th with a time of 20:32. Shortly after, Frazer captain Spencer Goodlett followed in 41st with a time of 20:43, senior Anderson Chaney in 49th with a time of 21:11 and junior Levi Williamson in 73rd with a time of 24:28.
The team then traveled to Clinton on Oct. 30 to race in the state championships.
In the Goen 5K race, Beckman came in 48th with a time of 28:34, followed by senior Aanya Banga in 72nd with a time of 34:10.
In the Frazier 5K race, Banipal finished 40th with a time of 21:16. Chaney and Goodlett finished back-to-back in 54th and 55th with times of 21:57 and 22:07, respectively.
Coach Madison Jones said she was proud of the team because the meet’s course was harder than usual.
“[The course] was really hilly, and it had a lot of grass,” Jones said. “That’s the opposite of what these athletes are used to running on.”
Banga said running with and against so many talented runners made the meet an exciting experience.
“The state meet was so much fun,” Banga said. “My race personally wasn’t my best, but it was such a great atmosphere to be part of and a really good way to end the season.”
Jones said she was proud of junior Shaniya Williams’ improvement throughout the season.
“Shaniya was really the heart of our team this year. If she didn’t show up to every practice, she was doing the work on her own,” Jones said. “I was proud of everyone, but she showed so much grit. She’s the definition of cross-country.”
Williams said she enjoyed her first year of MSMS cross-country and Jones was always helpful.
“[Jones] is someone I can go to and say, ‘Hey, I don’t think I can do this,’ and she shows me not only can I do it, but I can do it really well,” Williams said.
Jones said she appreciated coaching the cross-country team this year because of the runners’ tenacity.
“It was super fulfilling to get to work with the athletes because it’s about the training and the efforts that we put in in races,” Jones said.
