Today was somewhat of an oddity for us for a variety of reasons. We had two of our expected top seven out due to injury and illness and although our girls worked hard, their performances were not quite what I would have expected on a fast course like Otsego, and on one of our best running weather days so far. Although we took measures to find balance in a tough week that featured a Saturday meet, followed by a Tuesday meet, followed by today’s meet, I think it may have been too much, and I will need to reevaluate this calendar sequence for next season. I think it took a little spring out of their steps. They gave great efforts and had really respectable times, but I think they could have been stronger in a better structured week, and that’s on me.

Even though we did not have overly fast times, relatively speaking, the girls worked hard and did have pretty solid times. Sophomore Ava Crews scored in the medals, placing 15th in a strong field and crossing the line in 19:26, which was not far off her season’s best time. Junior Holly Velting was more on her typical form after struggling last meet, and had a strong effort and ran close to her season record as well, in 21:41. Next for the Trojans was senior Lindsey Velting, who is always in the mix, and ran in a respectable 22:30. Following her was freshman Madison Kietzman who continues to be a strong contributor, crossing the line in 23:17. Junior Kate Powers worked through a rough patch and demonstrated perseverance and although didn’t run her best time, put up what she could on the day in 24:46. Junior Laine Hinton made her varsity debut, stepping up in the team's time of need and again worked hard, but with a rough day on the course, finished in 27:00, which is not a good reflection of what she is capable of. 

The junior varsity race featured three of our athletes including freshman Luciana Teunessen who led the charge and then finished in 26:39, and though this was not a personal best time for her, it was still much faster than her average times of her first four races! Next was junior Mollie Moore who ran strong and only 15 seconds off her season's best in 27:00. Rounding out the JV race for the Trojans was Elizabeth Gaunt, who had a rough go of things, but still managed to regroup and cross the line in 28:23 above her average for her first couple of meets.

The girls did their part. The only disappointment I am feeling is toward myself. I thought I navigated the week well enough, but it needed to be better. I needed to be better. Regardless, I am proud of our girls. Fortunately we have a week until our next meet at the Portage Invitational and I think there will be a bounce back meet for us as a whole.