By James Hanlon
Leader Staff Writer
Oxford girls cross country team took first place at MHSSA Region 9 championship at Anchor Bay High School in New Baltimore, Oct. 29. Collectively, the team scored 73 points, beating out second-place Romeo at 102 and third-place Macomb Dakota at 117.
“We have a really talented team with girls that were competing to be in the top seven all season,” said Coach Sarah Canham. “We had to run in some really horrible race and weather conditions in multiple meets throughout the season, so we were ready for the horrible conditions we raced in at Regionals. I was so proud of how tough our girls ran! We (the Girls) won both the Varsity race as well as the Open race.”
Individually, freshman Mallory Bigelow came in fourth place overall, clocking in 5,000 meters at 20 minutes, 24.1 seconds. Sophomore Braydee Elling placed ninth (20:46.8), freshman Taylor Brodeur 14th (21:08), senior Jessa Chapin 22nd (21:47.1) and freshman Jamie Patterson 24th (21:51.7).
“I am so proud of the team this season,” Bigelow said. “We have trained really hard and diligently all season. Regionals was a fun and muddy experience. It was great to get in there and really race different girls, some really great competition. We are looking forward to killing it Saturday, it has been a goal for us all season!”
Undefeated this year, the team heads to the state finals this Saturday, Nov. 6, at the Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn.