Fatima Makes It FIVE STRAIGHT In Class 2
They scored 47 points and had a mere 7 seconds between their 1-5 who averaged 20:43 in 2013. It was the Fatima High School's first cross country state title on either side, but the boys would pick up their first that year, too. The next year, they scored 52 points in 2014 and a 20:41 average, 37 points in 2015 and a 19:56 average, 37 points in 2016 and a 20:23 average (37), 45 points in 2017 and a 20:09 average. They were 34 seconds better than 2nd place in 2013 in terms of top 5 average, 38 seconds beyond Herculaneum's 1-5 split in 2014 and 14 seconds and a mere 7 points ahead of an even stronger Herculaneum team in 2015, 37 seconds better than 2nd across their 1-5 in 2016, and 1:02 from 1-5 in 2017. 2017 would prove to be the most dominating victory in terms of average 1-5 time by the Comets, but their 50 point margin of victory actually was only their 2nd highest total (59 in 2013). There was never any doubt this year, but as we have seen, anything can happen at the state meet. But for the Comets, they put away the title with relative ease again this year.
Led by the Haller sisters in 1st and 3rd, along with Struemph's 6th place finish, Fatima was already in the driver's seat and only 2 other teams had 1 of their top 7 cross the line. We wouldn't see the next two Comets until 23rd and 25th, though, as sophomore Kailey Woody and sophomore Alexis Fischer made it 5 Fatima girls all-state for the 5th straight year. Last year they put all 7 in the top 25, but this year they would settle for 5, even though their entire top 7 was in the top 30 through the first mile and top 40 through 2 miles. Junior Katelyn Vanderfeltz was a big pusher in 35th and sophomore Sierra Sankey was their 7 on the day in 80th, falling off significantly in the 2nd mile. We mentioned the 6th and 7th runners mostly to highlight this fact: Fatima is graduating 1 in their top 7 and although it is their 4-time state champion, they appear to be in good hands with her sister Kendall having now 2 top 5 medals and Struemph earned her 3rd straight top 15 medal and 2nd top 10. Look for Fatima to be favorites again in 2018 to make it 6 straight team titles in Class 2.
In 2nd was the Eagles from Holden High School. They took 2nd for the 2nd straight year, their 2nd trophy in school history. Holden was led by senior Alice Evans who took 9th in 20:23.86. It was her 4th time in the top 10 as she has very quietly had a historic career in her own right. Sophomore Camille Gudde was 15 seconds behind in 11th. She was 7th last year as a freshman as both girls have been instrumental in Holden's success the last 2 years. Sophomore Valorie Slack was 20th, junior Kinadie Jones was 39th, and freshman Lexi Watkins made it 5 in the top 50 with her 50th place finish. Much like Fatima, Holden will only graduate their top girl, but will be entering 2018 with only 5 girls overall.
Bowling Green took 3rd, making it 4 straight years on the podium for the Bobcats. Led by Klott in 4th, they benefited from 2 more in the top 30 as freshman Camy Grote was 14th and sophomore Sylvia Wagner was 29th. Bowling Green will only be graduating their 5th and 7th runners from Saturday. North Callaway took 4th and will be discussed further later.