Running Their Way to State

Kimmie Barnes
Editor-In-Chief
  As the fall sport season comes to a close, many different teams are starting to compete in district matches and this includes cross-country. On October 19, the Bonneville cross-country team attended this year’s district meet in Blackfoot. After a strenuous race, the girls varsity team took third in the competition with a score of 82, which means they made it to state; this is the third year in a row that the girls team has qualified for the higher competition. Senior Alivia Johnson stated in a quick interview, “Our districts [competition] is one of the hardest to run because the teams that are more than likely going to win state are in our district.” Other impressive accomplishments at districts were made by junior Kennedy Kunz and senior Alivia Johnson who both medalled in the top ten. Kunz took fourth with a time of 19:16:5, and Johnson took sixth with 19:31:7. 
  While most sports have a varsity and junior varsity team, the Bonneville girls cross-country only has enough members for a varsity team. A full varsity has seven members; the first five runners count towards going to districts, and the other two girl’s times are used in breaking ties and adding to the overall score of the team. Even with scarce numbers, the team is grateful for the seven girls because in years past they have had numbers as low as five members. 
  Senior Kenadee Roberts expressed some of her thoughts and feelings about the district meet. Roberts divulged that this year’s race was more competitive and intense. When Idaho Falls High School dropped back into the 4A High Country district, which Bonneville competes in, the race became more uncertain for the Bonneville girls varsity. Roberts said, “We weren’t guaranteed a spot for state like we usually are. … We weren’t quite sure we were going to make it.” IFHS has always been a strong cross-country competitor and is a team that frequently claims the state champion title. However, last year they got bumped up to a 5A school because they had more students. This year, numbers went down and they rejoined the 4A district. Roberts elaborated on her feelings of mixed emotions she experienced after the race. Immediately following her run, she was filled with sadness for her last district race and possibly her last race of the season, but happiness and excitement soon replaced her initial feelings. She said, “Once I found out we had enough points to actually make it to state, I was super pumped and just glad that for my senior year we actually get to run together again.” Her excitement about state was coupled with excitement for spending time with the other girls on the team. Roberts mentioned that her favorite thing about state is staying the night at a hotel. She talked about how this gives the girls bonding time and is a great way to end the season. 
  The cross country state championship was Saturday, October 29, 2022. The Bonneville varsity girls cross country team competed for the 4A state championship. The girls placed tenth out of 15th, and they represented Bonneville well. Congratulations to the girls for running through districts and ending their season with state!

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