Cherry, Jaguars on track
This could be Westmoore’s year for state championship

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BY JUSTIN HARPER

Published: October 14, 2008

More pressure in one area has meant less in another for Katelin Cherry. And it might just drive Westmoore’s girls cross country team to the Class 6A state championship.

For the past two seasons, Cherry has been runner-up for the individual title. And the Jaguars were runner-up last year for the team title. But with Cherry back for her senior campaign and with six of seven runners returning from last year, the Jaguars are the team to beat in 2008. That fact was cemented Friday, when Westmoore remained unbeaten on the season by winning the Pre-State meet at Mitch Park in Edmond.

The chase of the team crown has alleviated some of the pressure on Cherry to win the individual championship after coming so close every season of her career (she placed fourth as a freshman before consecutive second-place finishes).

"It definitely has,” she said. "I’m not as focused on the individual title as the team championship. And there’s pressure on us as a team, but we share the weight and it lifts it off all our shoulders.”

While the Jags are certain they can win it all this year, they are far from overconfident. In fact, they could probably afford to be more confident than they are considering the season they are having.

"Every win we’ve had this year, there has been someone right behind us,” said coach Laura Clay. "There are other teams that are comparable to us. But while we’ve just won by a few points at almost every meet, you only have to win by one.”

A season full of tight-fit wins should only bolster the team at state because it’s used to having close competition.

"Yes, but we haven’t won anything yet,” said senior Allex Tarr, who placed fourth at Pre-State. "We have a great opportunity. It’s sitting right there in front of us, and we know we can do it. But we know how close teams have been to us. We know that when it comes down to the day, if one of us has a bad race it could all be lost. That’s just making us work harder.”

Jenks finished just four points behind the Jags at Pre-State, and defending champ Edmond North was just seven points back.

"Last year was a real reality check for us,” said Westmoore junior Taylor Painter. "It showed us our potential. This year we’re hungrier. We’re going to go to state, and hopefully we’ll leave happier this time.”

Added Tarr: "Last year, getting second, we were happy with that. But it wasn’t a state title.”

Related Topics: Sports, Track and Field, Long-Distance Running