Injuries and setbacks have made it a harder season than usual for the Verona High School girls cross country team, but with hard work and the leadership and inspiration of their captain, Jenika Ying, the team achieved its goal of qualifying for the group championship at Holmdel Park this coming Saturday.
The team qualified for Groups by finishing fifth at the state Group 2 Sectional championship on Saturday, November 9. With temperatures near freezing and an extremely muddy course awaiting the runners, the VHS girls took to the starting line in a field of 14 teams.
Veronica Valera lead the Verona cross country effort with a time of 21:22, followed by Annalie Ying (21:54), Jenika Ying (21:56), Kara Dunphy (23:48), Lucy Hogan (25:03) and Eleanor Newman (28:56).
