Teays Valley High School Athletics

"Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean"-Ryunosuke Satoro Sometimes, staying close, allows a team to stay comfortable, and staying comfortable doesn't allow for growth. After this Saturday's race, there is no denying the TVXC team is growing and building toward their goals. The TVXC girls traveled 1.5 hours southwest to Mason, Ohio to compete in the historic Mason Invitational. With the best teams in the Southwest, along with teams from West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee, the Vikings were in for a battle. Not to be deterred, the Vikings got out to a hot start putting themselves in the mix and battling through the rolling and at times challenging course. Battling not just the strong competition, but hills as well, the girls fought for each and every spot. Leading the Vikings was Reese Galinger, (18:58) placing 3rd and making it known she will not back down from any competition as the season progresses. Addison Keplar (19:35) finished in 8th, putting another Viking in the top 10 as she continued her strong junior campaign. After a big breakout race last weekend, Grace Thanasack did not disappoint, placing 13th (20:01) in a strong multi-state field of talented young ladies. Khloe Maxwell, running in her first varsity race, displayed toughness and drive placing 86th (23:22) and finishing out the scoring for the Vikings was a quietly returning Kate Charter, who placed 94th (23:59) after executing a well planned out run. In the open race, the Vikings placed 7th out of 12 teams. Many girls continued to show a drive and passion that had them running improved times, despite the difficult course. Leading the way was Josephine Bowerman (45th-24:04), followed by Lila Merritt (79th-24:56), Iris Lanas Garcia (92nd-25:17), Bethany Wickline (113th-25:57), and Rialynn Carver (115th-25:58) to finish out the scoring for the Vikings. In addition, Hannah Darst (122nd-26:09) and Elise Krouse (145th-27:04) were vital with their displacement scoring. Across the board, including the bus ride, time at the meet, and time at the post meet restaurant, the girls spent 9.5 hours together. The keyword being, together, because the goals the girls have set this season will not happen individually, but will happen through the support and care they provide to each other.