Path to the Podium: White County Girls
Everyone sees the picture of a team on the podium, with huge smiles and trophy in hand. What people don't see is the behind the scenes events that led to a spectacular achievement. In this article, White County coaches Carrie Vadegriff and Megan Runkle describe what it took for their girls to earn the 4th place trophy in Class AAA.
XC 2023
Any seniors that set a good example or laid the foundation?
No varsity seniors
Any results that gave motivation (good or bad)
In many of the races last year, we were within a couple of points of a podium finish. We expected to make it to the State Championships, but we didn't expect to make it on the podium. The team finished in ninth place last year at the State Championship.
Winter 2023
Any setbacks/challenges that had to be overcome?
Our team shifts very quickly from cross country to soccer. They start training again one week after the State meet.
Track 2024
Any setbacks/challenges that had to be overcome?
The majority of our team plays soccer so as soon as cross-country season ends, they roll straight into soccer conditioning. Though some did compete in track, it wasn't their focus and no one competed at State. In some ways, this could be looked at as a challenge, but we view it as a positive because it allows our girls a break from the monotony of running while also giving them an excellent opportunity to cross-train.
Summer 2024
Any new additions that changed the outlook for XC
Freshmen Carly Black and Junior Julie Black, both were new additions to the team that maintained a place on Varsity and continuously improved throughout the season
Early goals for the season
Make it to State
How the team handled summer training
Honestly, we weren't thrilled with the output at summer practices. Attendance wasn't consistent and the mileage wasn't what it needed to be to rank with the top teams in the state. One of our boys hit 500 miles while our girls struggled to hit their mileage goals. As the season got closer, however, they realized how behind they were and really locked in.
Any setbacks/challenges that had to be overcome?
The lack of summer mileage was a big setback for the team. Emma Windham also injured her ankle at our time trial so she missed a couple of races at the beginning of the season.
Season 2024
Anyone who had a breakout season that changed the outlook
Adding Carly and Julie to the team was huge for us. They both consistently placed in races and that really brought our team scores down. Also, every girl PRed during the season and closed the gaps within our top 5, which helped the team podium so frequently.
How early results compared to any goals
I think we spent the early part of our season looking at results with a little bit of surprise. Our girls were consistently placing high, scoring as a team and shaving time individually. It was those early results that shifted our goals.
Any revisions of goals?
The goal of "make it to State" changed to "podium at State". As the season progressed and we continued to watch the girls get stronger and close gaps, we knew the Podium was going to be possible. We focused every practice and race on doing "Podium Stuff." We had girls consistently running extra reps and miles because that's the type of stuff you do to get on the podium.
Any setbacks/challenges that had to be overcome?
Most of our challenges were things that every team deals with- injuries, illnesses, etc. We had a lot of that at the beginning of the season so it was about halfway through before we finally got to race our true Varsity.
In hindsight, key moments of the season that led to the State result
Placing at our home meet, Mountain Invitational, was a huge motivator. A lot of the competition at that race would be who we faced when we all returned to Unicoi State Park for Sectionals so it gave us an idea of how well we could place. I sent a message to our girls' team with their race splits and told them that if they ran like that at Sectionals and State, they'd be on the podium.