NOHS GIRLS and BOYS are REGIONAL CHAMPIONS

Okay the heading gives it all away, but what a great victory for our girls.  Two years ago they took 3rd place at Regionals and 2nd at state; last year they took 2nd at regionals and 3rd at state.  This year was all up in the air because of Marissa's injury, but she came through with flying colors and helped her team make 1st place at regionals.   And I really mean it, if she didn't run, they would have taken 2nd.

So proud of you sweetie!

The story unfolds.  It was another miserable day but at least it was cool for the runners.  Just before the girls regional race was to start, it started raining.  It was just a gentle rain, but not much fun to run in.  The girls did their regular warm up and then huddled together minutes before the gun goes off.

Marissa got a great start.  Of course Gaby and Erin took off fast, since her injury Marissa hasn't had as strong of a start, but she makes up for it quickly.  She is in 6th place on the back side (we aren't allowed to get that close to the runners).  Teresa Philips is on the back side offering support as Marissa runs by.

Coach Phillips giving encouragement as Marissa runs by

 Marissa looks strong at the one mile mark - her strides are there!

Go Marissa!

 Just after the two mile mark, Marissa has worked her way into 5th place.  She is working hard.

Passing Collins

 She had a great finish.  A girl from Christian Academy sprinted passed her right at the end, but Marissa did great.  She finished in 6th place with a time of 21:14.  She was disappointed because the week prior she ran the same course with a time of 21:12.  Everyone told her it was the same.  So close!!!!  She really wanted to see improvement, but after being not allowed to run for 5 weeks, you can't improve that much that fast, plus today was much worse conditions.

NOHS Girls XC Team

Marissa with her friends:  Mallory Price, Makenzie Mullin, and Caroline Butler

Marissa with Coach Micki Jerry

 It was going to be close - which team took 1st and which took 2nd.  They started with the individual awards.  Marissa received a medal for 6th place.

So proud of you!!!

Marissa's BIGGEST fan - Mallory has "Marissa Lowe" written all over her face

 After the individual awards, they announce Collins took 3rd, Christian Academy took 2nd and NOHS GIRLS took 1st Place!!!!
REGIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!

the team with the trophy

Coach Sykora, Christina, Caitlyn, Grace, Marissa, Charlotte, Erin and Coach Jerry
with the trophy

Marissa and her coaches

It turns out if Marissa didn't run and score her points when she did, the team would have taken 2nd place.  Marissa made a huge difference.  In the time we have been at NOHS - the girls have never been regional CHAMPIONS!!!!  Congratulations!!!