HICO – After claiming team championships at back-to-back meets to open the season, the Meridian girls cross country team settled for second place at the highly-competitive Keene Invitational Sept. 4. The Meridian boys and girls teams will be in Hico today to compete in the Bluebonnet Invitational at 3 p.m.
“The varsity girls finished second behind a very strong 4A Godley team,” Meridian cross country head coach Jill Kendall said. “Six out of 10 girls finished with their season best.
Led by a fifth place finish by senior Dakota Cassidy, the Lady Jackets finished with 127 points, trailing meet champion Godley with 53. Other Meridian girls with strong runs were junior Norah Lira (18th), senior Mallory Paruszewski (31st), freshman Cambree White (32nd), senior Reese Errington (44th) and junior Faith Paruszewski (45th)
“I’m super excited about this fantastic group of athletes who are pushing each other to be better and better every meet. I have 10 high school girls running cross country for only seven spots on varsity. All 10 are capable of running at the varsity level.”
The Lady Jackets also delivered strong performances at the lower levels with freshman Meryl Roberson placing sixth in the Junior Varsity Division, while Daylyn Cassidy claimed a bronze medal in the 8th Grade Division.
Competing with a full team for the first time this season, the Meridian boys placed 15th, manned by senior De’Marius Parks (54th), junior Garrett Murphy, freshman John Pablo Bernal, senior Zak Dirske and senior Cody Warren.
“We were excited to have a full team for the boys for the first time,” Kendall said. “Our three senior boys, who all qualified to regionals last year, continue to be leaders by working hard to get better.”
Photos courtesy of JILL KENDALL & BECKY PARUSZEWSKI
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