CLOVIS, Calif. – The St. Francis cross country team finished sixth overall in the girls Division II race, recording their sixth consecutive Top 10 state championship finish at Woodward Park on Saturday.
"It was a great accomplishment," said Head Coach Aaron Rios of the top 10 state finish. "The team expectation was a little higher. We can't hang our heads because we gave 100 percent. They did what they needed to do and gave their all."
The Troubadours finished with 225 points with three runners among the top 35 scoring finishers, placing behind Claremont (69), Saugus (100), Granada (102), Capistrano (123) and Serrano (166).
Senior Sydney Vandegrift, who signed to run at Cal next year, led the Troubadours, crossing the line 31st overall in 18:48.
"It was my last race and I was going to go out and there give it all that I had," said Vandegrift, who raced at the state meet for the fourth time in her career.
The Troubadours have placed among the top 10 each season dating to 2012.
"I am really excited because not many people can say they were on teams that have been in the top 10 every year," said Vandegrift, who also finished third in 2014, eighth in 2015 and fourth in 2016."They are all great finishes. I am so proud of the girls."
Junior Sophie DeBenedetti was the second finisher for SF, clocking 18:59 over the Woodward Park course to finish 40th.
"I wanted to start out strong and work my way up which I was very proud with how I did," said DeBeneetti. "My time did not meet my expectations but it is OK because the team placed really well. They all came in strong and I am really proud of them. We put in all the hard work for a reason."
Sophomore Emma Hollenbach was the third team finisher, placing 49th overall (19:12).
"It felt pretty good," said Hollenbach. "The last mile was pretty tough but I saw Sophie and knew I had to keep going and stay focused. I am really proud of our team and how hard we worked."
The Troubadour lineup was rounded out by freshman Hanna Hekkanen (90th, 19:46) and senior Alana Reyna (100th, 19:51). Sophomore Haley Silva was 127th (20:30) and senior Erica Craduer finished 130th (20:33).
For Vandegrift, Reyna and Craduer, as well as alternate Teresa Lee, it was the final cross country race for the seniors.
"It is a special moment," said Vandegrift of her final race. "We started with a lot of girls my freshman year and for us to be here together on a state team means a lot to me. I definitely have grown really close to them. It will be sad to say goodbye and I am really happy I was out there with them."
Vandegrift will leave the cross country program as one of the top runners in school history with a promising collegiate career ahead at Cal.
"Sydney has meant so much to not only the program but to me personally," said DeBenedetti. "She has really pushed me to where I need to be to succeed. She has been there for every single person and is willing to put in the hard work because she knows it will the team."
St. Francis will celebrate their season at the annual team banquet on Dec. 6.
