DeKalb County Middle School went toe-to-toe with some the state’s best cross country teams and emerged with good results.
Out of 30 teams at the state championships, the girls’ team finished 14th and the boys’ team finished 17th. This season marked the first time in four years the program placed both their teams in the state track meet. The squads qualified last week when the girls placed second overall out of ten teams in the regionals while the boys took fourth out of 11. The top five from each region make it to the state. This year the finals were run at Victor Ashe Park in Knoxville. Aaron Gottlied took third in the regional race while Zoe Keys took fourth and Katherine Knowles took fifth in the girls’ competition.
“I am really proud of their effort and commitment this entire season,” said Coach Kristen VanVranken. “This DeKalb XC team is one the grittiest bunch of runners I have had the pleasure of coaching.”
The coach noted it was a season of hurdles to clear, their training starting during the heat of summer and ending on a fall day in east Tennessee.
“They are truly an amazing bunch of student-athletes,” she said. “There are so many factors that take place when a team steps on the line, just like in many sports: the weather, the terrain of the course, the health of the athlete, whether they are sick or dealing with an injury. Many times in racing you don't get the perfect scenario. You can train and train for weeks, and it all comes down to race day, putting forth your best effort with whatever you may be dealing with. The DeKalb Middle School Cross Country team did just that. They each rose up to the occasion and put forth their best despite any obstacles they had.”
The competition in Knoxville at the state finals was tough but she is happy with the performance her squad gave.
“We ran against the “best of the best” on Saturday and competed well and tough,” she said. “From huge counties and private schools, we earned our place there. It’s a huge honor and accomplishment to make it this far and we held our own.”
