Karlee Hoffman ended her high school career with a runner-up finish in the Girls’ 3A Cross Country State Championship, leading the Daviess County team to second place.
Also competing were the Apollo girls, who finished 29th. In the boys’ race, Daviess County took 15th, just edging out Apollo in 16th, and Owensboro had one individual in the meet.
Hoffman was in a crowded group at the start of her race but pulled away with a handful of other runners by the first mile. As the race wore on, she separated from the pack to finish in 18:56.08, 15 seconds behind winner Ciara O’Shea of Madison Central.
Hoffman had a few runner-up finishes in recent weeks, and she said it pushed her to want a good final race.
“This week I was so determined to work,” Hoffman said. “The person that won (O’Shea), we’d never heard of her, but she did really good. I was proud of how I placed and how I did.”
It was the best finish in four years at state for Hoffman, and it caps off a strong final season with the cross country team. She said it’s been the closest group since the team won state in 2015.
“I’m so sad it’s over for high school, but we’ve had a great year,” Hoffman said. “It’s been a good last year for me. I’ve bonded with the team more than I have in all my years.”
Other scoring runners for the Lady Panthers were Ainsley Taylor (20:58.42, 33rd), Emily Roberts (20:59.47, 34th), Destiny Miles (21:17.82, 46th) and Emily Rempe (21:30.51, 59th).
Head coach Mark Fortney was proud of the finish and said the girls pushed through a slow start to take second.
“They moved forward like they had to and never gave up,” he said. “We beat some good teams that were ranked ahead of us all year. Any time you can get on that podium, you’ve had a good year. I knew if we had a great showing, we could possibly win. Second is super. I’m tickled to death with it, and it took a whole team effort.”
The Apollo girls were led by Sammi Roberts (21:29.36), who faded some down the stretch to finish in 58th. Other scoring runners for the team were Abby Rumage (22:41.94, 141st), Angel King (23:06.57, 162nd), Baylee Hare (23:23.62, 174th) and Caroline Boarman (23:28.17, 179th).
The Daviess County and Apollo boys’ teams finished near the middle of the pack, though the Panthers’ Brady Terry earned 23rd with a time of 16:54.09. Terry wasn’t totally happy with the time, but was pleased overall with the race and the season his team has had.
“It went alright, but I felt like I couldn’t find my rhythm,” he said. “It was tough out there. I feel like we’ve done pretty good. We’ve put in a lot of work in practice.”
Daviess County also got scoring from Alex Adams (17:34.43, 66th), Justin Shelton (17:57.72, 101st), Ryan Ward (17:58.58, 104) and Logan Gish (18:21.17, 136th).
The Eagles were led by Thomas Ashby (17:09.57, 37th), and other scoring runners were Ethan Dych (17:31.46, 62nd), Blake Rigdon (17:37.66, 73rd), Hunter Brand (18:18.68, 131st) and Leland Smith (18:24.58, 139th).
Owensboro’s lone runner Michael Ashley, who finished in 18:10.46.
