It was a victorious day for the Etowah girls’ cross country team at this month’s state championship. They placed placed eighth out of 24 teams, the second best the team has ever placed at state.

“The girls team was very competitive and committed. While we did have a few injuries on the team that lasted the entirety of the season, including myself, we have managed to push past them,” Darby Pierce, senior, said.

Before the team could compete in the State Championship, they had to rank among the top six teams in the area race. They placed sixth, making the cut to compete at state.

“We made it to state by one point. We were really focused, and the girls and I got really close this season. We got that bread,” Sydney Runyan, junior, said.

   Even though the girls were on the right track from their first race, where they took second, they kept training and practicing. Their dedication and determination ultimately paid off and created a strong and unified team.

   “The sort of sisterhood that we have created has helped us to be so successful. Our bond as teammates kept us pushing the boundaries of our running, and it ended up paying off,” Ella Stewart, senior, said.

   Through their blood, sweat, and tears, the girls’ cross country team left a legacy of its own on Etowah and demonstrated their fighting spirit.