News Summary

The Princeton High School girls cross country team has achieved a historic milestone by securing their first-ever Group IV state championship at Holmdel Park. With a final score of 84 points, they surpassed their competitors and displayed remarkable talent throughout the competition. Notable individual performances contributed to this victory, showcasing the team’s depth and dedication. Coach Jim Smirk praised the spirit and teamwork displayed by the athletes, emphasizing their collective effort in achieving such a prestigious win. The team is now preparing for the upcoming Meet of Champions, aiming for new heights.

Princeton High School Girls Cross Country Team Celebrates Historic Victory

Princeton, NJ – In an exhilarating moment for the town, the Princeton High School girls cross country team has made history by clinching their first-ever Group IV state championship at Holmdel Park. This stunning achievement has the entire community buzzing with excitement and pride as the young athletes showcased their exceptional talent and hard work.

A Thrilling Performance

The team finished with an impressive final score of 84 points, surpassing their closest competitors, Ridgewood with 95 points and Cherokee with 118 points. Their top individual finishers truly shone during the competition and played a pivotal role in securing this prestigious win. Notable performances included Kajol Karra, who raced her way to an outstanding 8th place with a time of 19:26. Close on her heels was Grace Hegedus, who took 10th place, crossing the finish line at 19:32.

Consistent Excellence

The dedication did not stop there, as Eowyn Dess also delivered a solid performance, taking 17th place in 19:59. Other standout runners included Floricia Eleches-Lipsitz in 23rd with a time of 20:17 and Phoenix Roth in 26th at 20:26. In fact, all seven runners from Princeton placed in the top 40, showcasing the team’s depth and talent.

Freshman Rosemary Warren made an impressive mark in her debut championship, finishing 33rd with a time of 20:32, while Sevanne Knoch rounded out the team’s impressive performance with a 39th place finish in 20:44. Such achievements underlined a season filled with dedication, teamwork, and rising aspirations.

Next Steps at Meet of Champions

Thanks to their stellar win, all the runners now have a chance to compete at the upcoming Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park, where they hope to build on this momentum. Historically, the team aims for their best placing ever at this prestigious event, recalling their previous highest finish of 5th in 2002.

Collective Effort and Coach’s Pride

Coach Jim Smirk expressed immense pride in the team’s growth throughout the season and their unwavering commitment to one another. This victory isn’t just about individual accolades; it’s a testimony to the team spirit and collaboration that have defined their journey this season. Beyond the state championship, Princeton High also triumphantly clinched both the Colonial Valley Conference and Central Group 4 sectional titles this fall, solidifying their status as a remarkable force in high school cross country.

A Bright Future

The boys’ team also celebrated a personal achievement with Felix Farrugia, who placed 31st with a time of 16:55, earning a wild card spot for their Meet of Champions. This complementary success helps to foster a robust cross country culture at Princeton High, inspiring the girls and fueling their ambitions.

As the dust settles on this historical day, the Princeton High girls cross country team is looking ahead to the Meet of Champions, eager to not only build on their state title victory but to also inspire future generations of runners. There is no doubt that their dedication and hard work will continue to pay off, and the community will be there, cheering them on every step of the way.

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