Each intake of breath brings an icy chill as they pump their legs, adrenaline boosting their speed. They burst through the trees, racing to the finish line. The cheering crowd roars in their ears as they cross, finishing strong. Freedom cross country gave it their best with the varsity boys placing third, and varsity girls placing fourth, making it to the podium for the first time ever at the states meet on Saturday, Nov 16.

Out of the 81 cross country runners, 12 boys and 12 girls were selected to go to states with seven from each running. From the boys, Dan Gittelman (5th), Clark Smith(10th), and Ryan Boarden(14th) received all-state. Mackenzie Keller (8th) and Maddie Garber (14th) also received all-state at the state meet.

“I feel like we performed pretty well being that we tied our best ever performance with a third place finish,” Gittelman said. “It was a real team effort because it takes everyone to get to where we were, not just the seven who race but the 12 who were there as well.”