On October 22nd, the Girls Cross Country team won their 8th consecutive District Title at Tradewinds Park. The conditions placed a challenge on the panthers with a heat index over 100 degrees, but nonetheless, the cross country team braved the heat and came home with the title. This year, the FHSAA reduced the number of districts from 16 to 8 thus doubling the size, but that did not stop the Girls Cross Country team from continuing their impressive season. 

Just one week later, the Girls Cross Country team proved themselves once again by winning their 8th consecutive Regionals title by a 46 point margin of victory over the second place team in the 20 team race. With the win, the girls advance to the State Championship for the 12th time in the last 13 years. 

Both of these wins allowed the Girls Cross Country to prove themselves as one of the best teams in the state. In order to ensure the panthers have their best performance at the State Meet, Coach Baur decided to rest some girls for these races. 

“We didn’t run a full squad at either meet this year, which shows the strength and depth of our team, and gives us that much more confidence going into states,” says senior Maya Beleznay. 

With this confidence, the Girls Cross Country have their eyes set on another championship title at the State Championship race this upcoming Saturday, November 9th at the Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee. Going into the weekend, a lot of pressure is placed on the Pine Crest Girls Cross Country team to perform well due to their continuous success. In order to relieve some of the pressure and lighten the mood, the girls take part in a long standing tradition the day before the race. 

“I love states because there is so much tradition involved. I look forward to dressing up as black panthers the day before our race,” says Maya. 

The State Championship Meet is not the end for the Girls Cross Country Team. With the success that has followed this team this season, they are looking to make a name for themselves on the national level. 

“Looking beyond states, we are working to qualify for the Nike Cross National Championship in Oregon as a team,” explains Maya. 

Being in the best shape the team has ever been in, there is no limit to what the rest of this season can bring for these ladies! Good luck to the Girls Cross Country team at States and on the rest of the season!