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On Nov. 13, Randolph-Henry High School concluded its cross-country season at the VHSL Class 2 state meet held in Salem, at Green Hill Park.

It marked an end for what has turned out to be a record-setting season individually and as a team for the statesmen. While the boys failed to qualify for the state meet as a team, senior Tanner Adams qualified as an individual, placing 39th, running a personal best 18:18 and capping off the best individual season performance by a male statesman in school history.

The lady statesmen runners had a historic season. With only three returning runners, a year where the team could have settled for rebuilding has, instead, became one of the most successful in team history. The additions of Misha Clark, Abigail Dixon, Nika’ Daniel, Zoey Walker and Mariam Robindolph with returners Emily Tharpe, Taylor Trent and Rhettia Rose has been a recipe for success. Following capturing the district championship in October, the ladies advanced to the regional meet in Bruton hoping to make a statement. First year runner and sophomore Mariam Robindolph placed 2nd overall at regions, running a season be 21:16, and led the team to a third place finish overall. This is the best performance by any individual statesman and Randolph-Henry team at the regional meet. The third-place finish was good enough to qualify the lady statesmen to take 7 runners to the state meet for the first time in team history. Robindolph would go on to place in the top 25 at the state meet, another historic first for the lady statesmen.

With the season ending, Coach Joshua Guill says he is most impressed with the team’s focus on the future. “I think what most impressed me at the state meet was the talk amongst the runners. The girls were already talking about next year and what they could do to improve in the off-season. I have already seen a few of my returners out running after school to stay in shape for next season”, Guill observed. “I think the girls state run this year has showed the whole team what we are capable of, and also what it is going to take going forward if we want to continue to be an elite team in the region for season to come.” Rising senior Jefferson Duffey will be working towards his first state qualifying performance next year, “As a rising senior I want to lead by example and see everyone succeed”.