Dexter Girls' Cross Country Team Finishes Season on a High Note

The girls' cross country team finished their season strong, coming in 22nd place at the state finals hosted by the Michigan International Speedway on Saturday.

"For us to be at the state meet, we needed all of our underclassmen to perform well and they did not let us down nor the team," coach Katie Jazwinski said. "We finished 22nd out of 28 teams. And, to be honest, we would not have cared if we took 28th place. We were seeded 21st and 23rd in two different rankings. So, 22nd place seems appropriate for a team that has worked so hard all season."

Leading the team were sophomore Elise Dombkowski (19:34.0), sophomore Cailin McLean (19:56.7), sophomore Robin Jackson (20:04.7) and freshman Alexandra Ammann (20:12.0).

"They went to Michigan International Speedway and never folded under the pressure, running solid the whole way," Jazwinski said. "We look for this group to continue to build on this experience that they have gained.

"Although it was three freshmen, three sophomores and one senior on the course on Saturday, it was the character, unity, bonding, comoradorie and leadership of all 30 girls that was represented on the track."

Jazwinski said the team will be losing seniors Emily Pap, Tori Waidley Megan Eekhoff, Jasmine Kipke, Melissa Lemke, Katie Adler and Leti Oreski next year and will be looking to younger athletes to step up.

"A team's success isn't always displayed by their place earned at the state meet. It is through the memories, experiences, sleepovers, adventure runs ... and the goals accomplished. We are so very proud of all of these girls."