With the cross country season coming to end, the boy’s and girl’s cross country team took on state, Sat., Nov. 5.

Both teams qualified for state, placing fourth in the Division 1 Sectionals, boys with a score of 112 and girls with a score of 144.

The boys team scored 204 points placing sixth, and the girls scored 300, placing eleventh. Both teams showed exceptional gains placing higher than they did in previous years. Last year the boy’s placed seventh and the girl’s placed sixteenth.

“The reason this season was so successful is because of how dedicated the athletes and coaches were to the sport and each other, and how the athletes were able to not just run as individuals, but as a team when it counted,” said Junior Ryan Smith.  

The road to state was paved with their willingness to work hard and their relentless pursuit of accomplishing their goals. Multiple injuries at the beginning of the season created a rocky start for the Pumas.

Having to rise above the challenges they have faced this year of not only injuries but, the crippling heat of summer, the teams have grown individually and as a unit.   

The teams have created many memories together by bonding on and off the track.

“One of the most memorable things this season was our trip to california,” Junior Celeste Llona said, “[was] staying up all night in our hotel rooms until two watching crime shows, getting ice cream together after our race, and our trip to the beach.”

Being such a close team with the dedication to do better every time they race, led Perry’s cross country team to a very successful season.

Junior Braylan Horned said, “we have a chance to rank higher in the state than Perry ever has.” Nevertheless, they exceeded this expectation by moving up five places from last year.