Fantastic Finish EV Girls And U-Hi Boys Cross Country Teams Run Away Wiht State Titles

Runners on East Valley’s girls cross country team made sure tissues were in ample supply at Saturday’s state cross country meet.

They wanted to be prepared for any outcome.

“We brought tissues to cry in, in case we won or lost,” said Korinda Godwin, an EV junior.

For the most part any tears shed at the state meet were tears of joy.

In the 3A girls race, East Valley won a fourth straight state title. In the 4A boys race, University’s boys won for the first time.

The two cross country teams traveled to Pasco chasing destiny, the Knights fully aware of the significance of their task, the Titans unusually reserved after completing theirs.

Until Saturday, no girls team had ever won four straight state cross country titles.

For a decade, no team other than Mead had won the top classification boys championship.

“Just realizing you know you’ve won state is really awesome. Beating Mead, that’s even better,” said U-Hi senior Seth Mott, the only Titan offering a hint of jubilation.

“Me and Dan (Chavez) said before the race we’d have to go to hell to get to heaven today and it happened.”

More on the Valley’s two state championship teams can be found inside.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo