Republic sophomore Catherine Wilson completed her first state cross country race Saturday in Columbia, finishing 139th with a time of 20:56.4 in the Class 5 championship. In a lot of ways, it was just what she expected out of the race, given the hilly course and recent rains at Gans Creek Recreation Area.
(Check out our story on Republic’s other competitor, Gracie Troester, here.)
“I knew it was going to be the most competitive race I’ve ever been in,” Wilson said. “This course is very hilly and it’s pretty wet outside, so it was very muddy. When I think of a cross-country race, this is what I think of.”
Wilson’s path to state wasn’t smooth. She fought illness early in the season that affected her training.
“She dealt with sickness that first entire month, where she was struggling through workouts,” coach Lexie Gallion said. “Just overjoyed to get 29th place and just barely squeak in, and she’s only a sophomore. She has two more years for us to see what she’s going to do.”
Wilson covered the first kilometer in 3:42.1. She maintained consistent splits through the middle of the race before finishing with a 4:23.7 split over the final thousand meters.
“I’m just so happy that I got the opportunity,” Wilson said. “I feel like I put in the work and I got to see it pay off.”
