Senior Haley Jordan and junior Brielle Pickett will make their way to state for Bearden cross country on Friday to compete as individuals.
“This is my third appearance at state, once as a team and twice as an individual qualifier,” Jordan said.
Jordan finished 10th at regionals with a time of 20:56.
This is Pickett’s first season running cross country, but she has had a very successful season. She was Bearden’s top finisher at regions in 8th with a time of 20:48.
Jordan credits her success this season to Coach Erik Purschke and the training he puts the team through.
“Consistency in training and good coaching has led me to where I am,” she said. “Talent is only a small part of success.”
Pickett said the team’s loving, but competitive nature has led them to success.
“We are good about having fun together, while also staying competitive,” she said.
The state meet is in Hendersonville on Friday, and the AAA girls, which includes Bearden, will run at 1:50 Central.
“We will run together at state and push each other throughout the race,” she said.
Jordan looks forward to watching the future success of Pickett and Bearden cross country in the future.
“My teammate had a fantastic season, and I look forward to seeing what she does her senior year,” she said.
Pickett said she hopes that their success will motivate the returning runners for 2025.
“I think it’s going to make the team want to push even harder, so the entire team can go,” she said.