What’s better than winning a state trophy? If you ask a girl on the cross country team, her answer might be becoming one of the top teams in the nation.

Last year the girls finished third in the state, and then went on to qualify for the Nike Cross Nationals meet in Oregon, where they finished 16th in the nation.

In 2016, the girls team had only won one meet and finished second and third in every other meet up until conference, where the girls overcame their opponents. They produced three important titles (conference, regional, and sectional), finishing third-place at state.  All-state runners Mackenzie Callahan and Ashley Tutt have both graduated and are now running at Northern Illinois.

Returning juniors Kate Gall and all-state runner Vivian Van Eck, are hoping to help out the senior runners for the 2017 season.

Angelica Leal, senior, said, “As a team we did really well (last year). Expectations were high from winning state, so we made it a goal to make it again.”

A runner who has been dominant over the past couple years, placing 19th at state in 2015, and third in 2016, is senior Emily Shelton. Shelton will take over as lead senior, in hopes to help lead the team to another state run.

“I hope that our team we still be successful, even though we lost two great runners (Callahan and Tutt), because all the girls have been working their butt off for another great season,” said Shelton.

The Indians are looking great, strong enough for another state run. Their first meet will be on Saturday, Aug. 26, at Maxwell Park in Normal.