Mya Ruch recently received the "All State Team Honors" award at Victor Ashe Park in Knoxville. Ruch finished fourth overall at the regional cross country meet at Sharp Springs Recreation Park in Smyrna. She ran a personal best time of 12:34 for the two-mile course.

According to DMS Cross Country Coach Kristen VanVranken, Ruch’s fourth-place finish qualified her to compete at the Middle School State Cross Country Championship meet in Knoxville on Oct. 18, where she represented DeKalb Middle School by finishing 18th overall out of a field of over 300 girl runners from all over Tennessee. She was made a member of the "All State Team" for finishing in the top twenty and received a trophy and certificate.

Ruch led the girls cross country team in all four meets this season, followed closely by teammate Mallori Hart, with Megan Walker and Kiersten Griffith giving consistent performances as well. "All girls did a fabulous job this season and made DeKalb Lady Saints proud," VanVranken said.

VanVranken said that the inaugural season for the DMS cross country team was rushed, but the team had some good times. All meets were a certified two-mile distance course, with the personal best times for the girls as Mya Ruch: 12:34, Mallori Hart: 15:14, Megan Walker: 17:30, and Kiersten Griffith: 18:19.

The boy’s team was led by seventh grader Luke Jenkins and sixth grader Levi Driver. Following close were teammates Bill Miller, Caden Close, Ben Snipes and Jake Ramsey, while teammates Damien Sullivan, Clay Kirby, Trey Fuston, Connor Adcock, Garrett Hayes, and Blaine Sexton all showed awesome improvements with each cross country meet. "Each and every member of the boys team contributed to an awesome first season for the middle school Saints," VanVranken said.

Personal best for the boy’s season were Luke Jenkins: 13:27, Bill Miller: 14:10, Caden Close: 15:11, Ben Snipes: 15:28, Jake Ramsey: 15:35, Trey Fuston:16:19, Damien Sullivan: 16:26, Clay Kirby: 18:18, Connor Adcock: 21:05, Garrett Hayes: 22:53, Blaine Sexton: 19:10, Alan Munoz:14:54, and Axel Aldino: 15:51.

"This was an exciting first season for DeKalb Middle and High School Cross Country," VanVranken said. "High School coach Melissa Ruch and myself are looking forward to what next season holds."

"We hope that the word spreads that there is a "new sport" at DeKalb Middle and High School and we welcome any student to come out and be part of a running team that is truly special."