Randolph Girls Cross Country competed well, finishing in the top half of the state’s best runners at the NJSIAA group championships on Saturday, Nov. 9, the team’s last meet of the season. The girls advanced to the group championships following a close, second-place finish at the state sectionals meet on Saturday, Nov. 2.
“We have been looking forward to championship season since early July, so we just had to stay healthy and simulate race-like efforts throughout the last couple weeks,” junior co-captain Lilah Willis said.
At state sectionals, freshman Julianna Young placed the highest for Randolph with her fifth-place finish. Also making the top 10 was Willis, placing eighth, and sophomore Jaidyn Young right behind her, placing ninth.
“This meet was definitely more of a challenge because it was at a course we hadn’t run at all this season,” Jaidyn Young said.
Freshman Samantha Cerulo and junior Keili Semler went neck-and-neck, placing 35th and 36th overall. Junior Liliana Colasante fought for a top-50 finish, placing 48th by two seconds. The top five runners’ places were added up to determine the Rams’ final score, ending in an 89-89 tie with rival Morris Knolls. To break the tie, the sixth-place runner’s scores were added in, leading to a win for Morris Knolls.
“Knowing we all could have passed one more person has put a burden on us, but I think it will only encourage us, next week at Holmdel on 11/9,” Willis said, describing the emotions after the hard loss for the state sectional title on Nov. 2..
Although Randolph earned an impressive second place at state sectionals after a tie break, the girls still earned enough points to qualify for the NJSIAA group championships on Saturday, Nov. 9. This was a tough meet, with Randolph facing the best of the best competition. The team fought hard, with the Young sisters both placing in the top 60.
Win or lose, throughout the season, the girls supported each other during every meet and practice. “The upperclassmen have been so fun and welcoming ever since I started practices in the summer,” Julianna Young said. “My captains, Anais [Thauvin] and Lilah [Willis], are always helping the underclassmen, and I feel like we are an important part of the team.”
“We are excited for next year because we are aiming to improve and achieve the first-place spot as a team,” Julianna Young said.
