The Livingston High School girls’ cross country team qualified for the Group 4 State Championship race thanks to its performance at the sectional championship, held at Garret Mountain in Woodland Park on Saturday, November 6.Seventeen teams were represented in the sectional race, the first step of the three tier State Championship tournament. LHS put seven girls on the starting line. Only the top five teams and top ten individuals would qualify for the next level of competition, the Group 4 State Championship. “The squad was determined to not let the season end quite yet,” said LHS coach Dave Czeizinger. “The favorite was a nationally ranked squad, and the field included some other state ranked teams. The Lancers, though probably overlooked by many, were determined to get a top five spot and keep their season going.”Czeizinger continued, “The coaching staff was optimistic that the goals set were achievable as the preparation of the team was underway. A few of the ladies had only run a handful of varsity level races and 5Ks. They were aware of the increased level of competition and difficulty of the course, but this did not deter them. They responded in the affirmative and the Lancers were ready to test themselves against the course, the clock, their own willpower and some of the state’s best teams and runners.”Representing Livingston High School were Sophia Yan, Bridget Gulfo, Sasha Culver, Annie Shen, Lila Maru, Nikki Heifler, and Carol Flores.“The race shot out fast with a pack from Ridgewood leading the charge,” recounted the coach. “Yan also went out fast, carrying her through the first mile in a good position with the leaders. Close behind was Gulfo, keeping her focus strong. A bit further back were Shen, Culver and Maru, with Heifler and Flores all working hard toward their team goal. Only five of the seven had previously run this five kilometer course. The girls were ‘all in’ and pushed hard in this highly competitive field over rough and undulating terrain.”He added, “As they crossed the road with about 800 meters left, and began the final uphill to the finish, the Lancers were looking good and the coaches and the team’s fans were sensing the goals might be met.”Yan had maintained her spot and finished in 12th place, clocking 21:31. Gulfo was not far behind in 19th at 22:33. With Ridgewood grabbing seven of the top 13 spots, said coach ...
