Girls cross country: Archie Williams’ Stieg, Redwood claim victories at MCAL
There’s a youth movement underway in MCAL girls cross country, and it was on full display Wednesday in the championship meet at the Indian Valley campus of the College of Marin.
Archie Williams High junior Ani Stieg claimed her second straight league crown with a time that was more than a minute faster than last year’s league best.
Redwood, unbeaten in the regular season, won its third straight team title and fourth in the past five years thanks to junior Sydney Middleton and sophomore Kate Kozubik, who finished second and third, respectively.
While Stieg completed the 3.1-mile course in 17 minutes, 43 seconds, Middleton and Kozubik did their best to stay in close contact with the leader and finished in 18:02.9 and 18:05.6, respectively.
“I didn’t know how fast I would be going out, but I felt good and strong,” said Stieg. “I didn’t look at my watch once. I went off of feel and continued to push — used the uphill and used the downhill.”
Stieg was clocked at 18:50.9 for her victory last year. She said this year was sweeter since her Archie teammates are closing the gap with the league leaders.
“I was thinking about my team,” said Stieg about her motivation. “We’ve been working very hard for this. I feel happier this year because of the whole team mentality. It felt more like a team effort than an individual effort — I was doing it for them.”
Redwood was first with 39 points, followed by Branson with 52 and Archie with 59. Tam was fourth with 89, followed by Terra Linda (128), Marin Catholic (152) and San Marin (209).
Middleton ran cross country for the Giants as a freshman but sat out last season. Redwood coach Nykky Graydon is happy to have her back, to say the least.
“Sydney has come on,” said Graydon. “Her dedication and speed — and how hard she trains — has been such a driving force for the team.”
Showing just how deep the Giants are, senior Marley Nacco was fifth, freshman Rose Mueller was 12th and sophomore Beatrice Nass was 17th.
“Sydney, Kate and Marley — that unit of three has brought so much to the team,” said Graydon. “It’s been a really strong girls season. Being so young — it feels really nice that they were able to come together and pull it off.”
Branson’s second-place finish was keyed by Farah Allen in fourth and Audrey Spaly in sixth.
The North Coast Section finals are on Nov. 23 at Hayward High.