![RCS XC Brings Home First-ever State Championship]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1728657087/rcschoolnet/erafl9zhrlfmpgl5m5es/XCAnnouncements.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1728657087/rcschoolnet/erafl9zhrlfmpgl5m5es/XCAnnouncements.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1728657087/rcschoolnet/erafl9zhrlfmpgl5m5es/XCAnnouncements.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1728657087/rcschoolnet/erafl9zhrlfmpgl5m5es/XCAnnouncements.png","width":1080}])
Capping off a truly dominant season, the RCS Lady Warriors Cross Country team brought home its first-ever TMSAA Single A State Cross Country Championship trophy on Saturday, October 5. After winning every meet this season, illness seemed to threaten the team's chances heading into the Championship meet. The Lady Warriors persevered and not only finished atop the 15-team field, but did so 61 points ahead of runner-up Merrol Hyde. 8th grader Elin Bryan led the way with the team's highest ever State Championship finish, 4th place, finishing in 13:01.38. Fellow classmate Kenady Deal turned in a season-high performance with 13:21.95 to finish 7th while season-leading 8th grader Lilla Harrell overcame a week of illness to finish in the 8th spot with 13:24.68. All three runners earned All State recognitions.
6th grader Paisley Lawson scored with her 12th place finish at 13:52.25, and 8th grader Anna Mae Boyd rounded out the scoring for RCS with her 19th place finish at 14:09.33. 6th grader Madeline Webb finished in 14:19.57, to land in the top 25 in the 23rd spot, and 6th grader Olivia Sacharnoski posted a 27 second improvement with her 14:51.85 finish. Among the state's Single A 6th grade runners, Lawson was the top 6th grade finisher overall while Webb and Sacharnoski finished 5th and 10th, respectively.
Coach Kelley Russell brought home the State Coach's Award in recognition for her efforts with this team. Despite losing a powerhouse 8th grade group of runners, impressive debut seasons from the team's 6th grade class give her much to look forward to next season.