(PHOENIX) The Gilbert Christian cross country teams completed their respective seasons at the 2024 AIA Division III State Championships Saturday, November 2nd on Cave Creek Golf Course. Senior captain Addison Bisceglie took to the hilly course with the fervor she displayed all season, crossing the line in 19:16 to earn runner-up honors.

Bisceglie bested a field of 175 state qualifiers to claim her second-place medal. 

"The state meet went really well for both of our teams," Bisceglie said. "I am super proud of all of the girls for their progress this season. We got so close as a team, which is more important than anything we could do in a competition, in my opinion. I am so honored to be able to wear the GCS jersey, and to have completed my fourth and final cross country season with this amazing team!"

The boys' squad raced in the meet's earliest event, placing 30th overall behind sophomore Asa Jones' 57th-place (17:26.5) individual run. Junior captain Chaucer Tutty was next to cross for the Knights, running a 18:34.9 on Cave Creek's challenging terrain. 

Amazingly, sophomores Owen Finkbeiner and Holden Lang stuck together throughout the race and finished the competition in back-to-back spots, within a second and a half of each other (20:05.1, 20:06.7). Separated by one runner was freshman Jacob Shields, who trailed Lang by less than three seconds (20:09.4), and logged a career best on the day.

On the girls' side, sophomore Kodi Bell received 30th overall in a time of 21:03.6, adding important points to the team's 16th-place tally.

Running a season-best was freshman Anniston Ervin, who was among the top-100 runners in the state with her 23:12.5 race. Sophomore Addie Hansen was next for the Knights (24.19.4), and newcomer Ella Pittenturf finished her freshman campaign with a personal record of her own (26.28) in the final meet of the year.

"This was an amazing and transformative season for all of us," Head Coach Amy Ford said. "We had strong captain leadership, athletes who were willing to do the hard work, dedication to early practice, positive community, and friendship. Our fantastic race efforts today at the state meet were the icing on the cake. This is a season that we can all be proud of."

-GO KNIGHTS-