Green Hope Cross Country

Going into the 2012 4A state championship the Falcons knew they were one of the favorites to win, but could not feel as comfortable as they did in 2010 and 2011. The girls knew they would have to run well to beat a young and talented Providence team. Coach Collins and Coach Christian had the girls ready to go and in the right frame of mind, though, and the Falcons finished the day with their 4th straight state championship—beating Providence 83-101. It was yet another great day for GHXC!

The race started off fast in cool conditions as a large lead pack took the first mile out hard. Eventually a group of three runners separated from the rest that included Mo McDonnell and 2 other Mideast runners. Mo battled to stay with the top group and finished in 3rd place, using her strong kick to set a new 5K GHXC record time of 17:56 and earn her 3rd all-state finish. 2nd for the Falcons was Kristen Lospinoso in 18:34 (18th place) who managed to take around 2:00 off her 2011 PR. Kayla Hall ran an outstanding race to finish in 18:54 (26th) and become the 10th girl at Green Hope to break 19:00 and the 4th freshman. Allie Worsdale (19:08), Theresa Enright (19:09), Julia Zwierzysnki (19:16), and Katie Tomasi (19:52 while recovering from sickness) rounded out the state champion Falcons squad.

It was quite a year for the Falcons. 4 of the top 6 girls from 2011 Graduated and the 2012 team suffered four injuries to top runners, but they managed to continue to progress and uphold the tradition of excellence. The future looks extremely bright for the girls, but they will also graduate many top runners from this squad, as A Company stars Mo McDonnell, Allie Worsdale, Taylor Howard, Emily Boesch, and Shannon Scovel move on to college. We will need several of the returning girls to step up in 2013 for the team to contend again.

A special congratulations and thanks goes out to Mo who topped off an amazing high school cross country career. Mo won 4 team state titles, 2 conference MVP awards, earned all-state recognition 3 times, made the all-conference team 4 times, earned academic all-conference 4 times, and set the all-time Green Hope PR of 17:56 in her last meet as a Falcon!

Thanks to everyone for all of your hard work. It takes an amazing commitment from runners and coaches and parents to make it all work.