Decatur cross country team competed in the state qualifiers region meet held at the Westminster Schools on October 28th. Both the varsity girls and boys took third place in the region allowing them to compete in the state meet on November 7th.

Mary Souther, cross country coach and Decatur math teacher, says the season is going well and many runners are improving their times this season. Sam Ellis, junior, has the fastest boys varsity time of 15:52, won first place in the state qualifiers in the 5K.

“The best moment was the last mile of the race when Sam Ellis pulled away from the rest of the pack and won with a commanding lead,” Souther said.

Kate Immergluck, junior, holds the varsity girls fastest time of 20:50 and Casey Todd, senior, with a time of 21:02 led the girls in the race placing 10th and 11th.

Students such as Maggie Carlton (23:10), Sophia Deluca (23:25), Ellie Goldstein (24:04), Sam Amick (19:01), Chris Rosselot (19:37), Sean Hunter (19:48), and Eric Broner (19:53) also had low times.

Juniors Blanche Francheterre and Alba Bergaz, exchange students, were unable to compete in the race because they aren’t U.S citizens.

Francheterre was frustrated due to the fact that she had forgotten about this at the beginning of the season. “When [coach Whichard] reminded me at the Carrollton meet I was really sad.”

Photo by Baylen Altizer

Photo courtesy of Sam Ellis