Wabash High School

The Wabash High School Lady Apaches took to the course Saturday morning at the Taylor University Invitational, with the senior class officially joining the team for their season opener. After the underclassmen opened the season last week, the addition of the seniors allowed Wabash to field a complete team for the first time this season. The meet provided an opportunity for the entire group to race together, gain valuable experience, and begin building toward their goals for the remainder of the season. The Lady Apaches battled through a competitive field and challenging course, showing determination from the starting line to the finish. With runners of different experience levels coming together, Saturday's race was another important step in developing the team and establishing the foundation for the season ahead. The girls were able to bring home 6th place out of 10 complete teams, with 15 schools represented. Freshman Teresina Cordes, who had another incredible performance, adding her name to the course top 10 times AND broke her record from last weekend and set it again with a time of 18:15.05. Tesa finished 3rd overall. Following in after Cordes, was Sutton Stoffel, another freshman, with a PR time of 21:35 and taking 32nd place overall. Next up for the team was Mya Golliher, a sophomore, coming in with a season PR time of 21:48 and taking 35th place. Coming in for the senior crew was Mia Fairchild, running her season opener time of 23:52 and placing 64th overall. Close behind her was another senior, Chloe Cooper, with her first EVER healthy 5k race with a 24:04 and 66th place. Cooper has been on the team, battling injuries from other seasons all during cross. Today was a special day to see Cooper in action. Next in the senior pack was Mallory Tart with her season opener. Tart ran a 25:08 and swiped 76th place overall. Racing into the finish was Emma Cantrell, another sophomore, with a season PR time of 26:28, and placing 89th overall. Josie Bailey rounded out the seniors with a season opening time of 27:19 after being out the last year. Bailey was able to take 93rd place overall, an exciting accomplishment to get a 5k in for her after a year of healing. The Taylor Invitational provided another valuable measuring stick for the Lady Apaches as they continue to develop as a team. With plenty of season still ahead, Wabash will use what they learned Saturday to continue improving and preparing for the championship portion of the season. The Lady Apaches will return to competition next Saturday at the Marion Invitational.