Team members sacrifice a title for the well-being of teammate
STAFF REPORT
The girls’ cross country team’s quest for a second straight state championship came up short Saturday due to some unfortunate circumstances. Despite the adversity, the varsity girls’ placed second overall.
The varsity boys’ team placed third overall and the girls’ sixth-grade team placed second.
After two weeks of cool weather, Saturday was humid and hot at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. The heat, combined with an open course with little shade, contributed to several runners experiencing heat exhaustion during the girls’ varsity race, including one of Noe’s top runners, who was projected for a top 20 finish.
The Noe runner nearly fainted during the race. Two other Noe eighth-grade runners, Clara McGarvey and Adelaide McDonald, saw their teammate in distress. The two left the course to climb over a wood fence to check on their teammate. Eventually, all three would resume the race.
Following the race, officials elected to disqualify McDonald due to her actions. After a protest from coaches and parents, along with some deliberation from officials, McDonald was not disqualified. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome and win a second straight championship.
