Cross Country Earns Marian's Second State Championship of Fall Season
Cross Country Earns Marian's Second State Championship of Fall Season
Susan Rosenlof
All smiles with the State trophy in hand. After being predicted to finish second, the team's victory surpassed expectations.
Story and photo by Maeve Wharton '26
After months of miles on the course, track, and in the Keystone neighborhood, the Marian cross country team has brought home the highest honor in high school sports: a state championship title.
The state squad—Harper Cowles ‘27, Maya Freyer ‘28, Lena Sebata ‘28, Julia Kubat ‘29, Reese Lancaster ‘29, Elizabeth Morgan ‘29 and Tatum Houghton ‘29—was composed of a majority of underclassmen, which proved a challenge headed into state.
“There was a dynamic shift this year,” Freyer said, “for example, I was the only one who had ever run in districts before.”
“Our team is really young. We don’t have much experience,” said Cowles, the sole upperclassman on the state team.
The varsity team has not seen success on this scale since their state five-peat from 2003-2007. However, after a fifth place finish at state in 2024, the team returned this year hungry for more.
Freyer and Cowles agree that the team’s success can be attributed to two factors: diligent work in the preseason and new talent on the team.
“We put in so many miles this summer,” Cowles said. Cowles personally exceeded 600 miles this summer, running more than seven miles each day on average. This training laid the foundation for the team’s state victory.
On Oct. 24, Marian cross country headed to state in Kearney, Nebraska. They won state by 15 points, a clean sweep in cross country terms. Additionally, individual medalists included Freyer, 8th, and Lancaster, 9th, in a field of more than 100 runners.
“It was so fun to race surrounded by a team that I love,” said Freyer. Notably, around 20 Marian girls showed up to support the team, despite the three-hour drive.
Cowles, elated by the victory, said she “feel[s] incredibly proud of this team… there’s no one more deserving than us.”
A trophy ceremony on Oct. 27 celebrated the team’s victory and presented Dr. Susie Sullivan and Mrs. Michele Ernst with the state trophy.
“It’s just the best feeling to know your hard work and dedication has paid off and been recognized by others,” Freyer said.
With a young team full of talented runners, Marian cross country is sure to continue its winning streak in years to come.