Central’s girls cross country team finished sixth out of 28 schools at the 3A IHSA State Finals on Nov. 4.

Senior Liv Phillips placed second out of 200 runners, marking the end to both a season with top finishes as well as her high school cross country career.

“There’s been ups and downs with performance over my four years but that’s expected, and the difficult parts only made me stronger and more willing to get better”, Philips said. “As for the team, I couldn’t have asked for a better group over the past four years.”

Phillips cut down exactly a minute from her time at the team’s Sectional on Oct. 28, where she placed first.

Senior Ava Hendren, senior Abby Mogg and junior Lola Satre-Morales all set new personal records at state, placing 39th, 44th, and 47th respectively.

“During regional week we had a couple of random injuries or pains,” head coach Matthew Blondell said. “Those got sorted out along the way, and we were able to bounce back.”

Coaches have advised runners to “pack” or stick together through training to push each other to do better. They do this with “color groups,” a way to improve their times and measure progress that has proven to be successful throughout the season

“[The team had] a really great atmosphere,” said Katelyn Burke, one of two freshmen serving as alternates on the state team. “Everybody got along with each other and wanted each other to be better.”

All seven runners from Central reached either a personal or season record during State Finals.

“This year’s state meet was definitely an unforgettable one and for the right reasons,” Philips said. “The team gave everything they had and performed to a different level. It’s also a pretty good feeling to end the season on such a high note.”