Cross country: Griffard sets new Valle record
Valle Catholic’s Lillian Hoog races past a runner from Arcadia Valley during Saturday’s Farmington Invitational cross country meet at Engler Park. Hoog and the Warriors placed fifth among teams at the meet. (PHOTO BY ERIC VICCARO/Herald staff)
By ERIC VICCARO
eviccaro@stegenherald.com
FARMINGTON — Valle Catholic High School freshman cross country runner Madelyn Griffard continues to rewrite history books.
Griffard established a new school record time of 20 minutes, 39.02 seconds at the Farmington Invitational in Engler Park on Saturday afternoon.
She was sixth place overall in a highly competitive field of 99 girls.
“Madelyn broke the school record set by Sally Heil (20:52) on the same course,” Zoughaib noted. “Carmyn (Basler) also ran the girls’ third fastest time ever.”
Zoughaib was understandably proud of the Warriors’ effort — which includes a team-bonding run early Thursday mornings throughout downtown Ste. Genevieve, with athletes adorned in fluorescent colors and reflective shirts.
“This was by far one of our best performances across the board,” the coach commented. “Every kid that ran, got a personal record.”
Ste. Genevieve head coach Sierra Boyd also was pleased with the proceedings, which gave the Dragons one final tune up before the Class 3 district race at Arcadia Valley in Ironton on Oct. 30.
“Farmington’s course is flat, which is similar to Arcadia Valley’s course,” Boyd said. “It was a great opportunity for a quality race. All of the varsity boys raced well, and were ready to compete at a high level on Saturday.”
Both Valle Catholic and Ste. Genevieve will take different approaches this weekend as a means for becoming district-ready.
The Warriors will compete at the Dexter Invitational at the high school. The Dragons will be off, recharging mentally and physically for the playoffs in less than two weeks time.
Three Ste. Genevieve boys earned medals and placed in the top-30.
Nathan St. Clair was tops among all Dragons, taking 13th in a time of 17:41.45. Levi Wiegand clocked in at 18:15.11 for 23rd. Mason Gegg was 30th overall (18:24.23). Adam Oder also ran varsity, placing 69th in field of 109 entrants.
Valle Catholic’s Peter Roth registered the second-fastest time ever among Warrior boys, taking eighth overall with a time of 17:14.24.
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