Lady Cards finish 2nd in state cross country meet
Saturday, October 22, 2011
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WACO -- For three years, the St. Paul girls cross country team owned TAPPS 2A in the state meet.
The St. Paul girls cross country team finished second in the TAPPS 2A state cross country meet Saturday at Baylor University in Waco. photo by Jason Chlapek, Gonzales Inquirer
But a fourth consecutive state championship was not in the cards this year. Bulverde Bracken Christian used a trio of top-10 finishers to claim the TAPPS 2A state crown Saturday at Baylor University in Waco.
The Lady Cardinals came in second with 61 points, while Bracken Christian won the crown with 38. Despite coming in second, St. Paul coach Dana Beal had nothing but praise for her team.
"The girls did a great job of running as a team," Beal said. "They worked hard every day and did what we asked them to do."
The Lady Cardinals had its top five runners finish in the top 26 with their lone senior -- Kali Kocian -- leading the way by finishing 6th with a time of 13 minutes, 45 seconds. Katelynn Leist (16th, 14:24), McKenzie Kresta (24th, 14:44), Samantha Siegel (25th, 14:47) and Ashton Kutac (26th, 14:58) rounded out St. Paul’s top five finishers, while Elizabeth Patek (28th, 15:05) and Victoria Kusak (31st, 15:30) also competed for the Lady Cardinals.
Bracken’s top five runners all finished in the top 21. The Lady Warriors placed 3rd, 7th, 8th, 19th and 21st, respectively.
"We had a successful four years," Kocian said. "Being the only senior gave me the opportunity to step into a leadership role this year. I think the team has a good chance of winning state again next year."
Beal also had praise for her lone senior.
"Kali was a phenomenal leader and worked hard every day," Beal said. "Her love for running drew a lot of other girls for cross country."
Kocian was a member of the 2008, 2009 and 2010 state championship teams as well as this year’s state runner-up team. Kocian also participates in volleyball, basketball, softball and track and field.
"The success we experienced in cross country carried over into the other sports," she said. "It feels great to win state championships and you want to do that in all the sports."
St. Paul also had a full boys team competing this year as the Cardinals finished 10th in the team standings. A year ago, Mason Matias was the lone St. Paul boys competitor, but he was joined by Kurt and Kyle Chunda, and Sam and Ted Wenske on Saturday.
"It’s good to have a team and to know that you’re not alone," Matias said. "We need to keep it going."
All five Cardinals return for the 2012 season, which could mean for more success in both TAPPS 2A races next year.
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