The CCS Finals marked the end of the cross-country season for most of the team. The girls placed fourth overall, and the boys placed sixth overall. Even so, sophomore Amaya Bharadwaj and senior Grant Morgenfeld both qualified for the CIF State Championship race.

“I wish the team was going to states, but either way I’m happy with how the season went, and I’m excited to run in states again”, Morgenfeld said.

Morgenfeld dominated the season, with first-place finishes in the CCS Championship, all four SCVAL races, and the Paly vs. Gunn meet. With this, Morgenfeld has solidified himself as one of Paly’s all-time fastest runners. 

Additionally, Bharadwaj had a very strong season. She placed third in the CCS championships and won the SCVAL Finals as well as the Paly vs. Gunn meet. Only a sophomore, Bharadwaj will continue the legacy of Paly girls cross country set by Elizabeth Fetter (’23) and Hillary Studdert (’23).

Despite the dominance of Morgenfeld and Bharadwaj, injuries to other top runners hurt the overall placement of both teams. Junior Tristan Kippes, who placed third overall in the first and second SCVAL races, hurt his knee during a race, ending his season. Additionally, Junior Kinga Czajkowska’s season was cut short by a stress fracture. She won both the first and second SCVAL races and placed 16th overall at the Clovis Invitational in Fresno.

“Tristan’s injury really hurt us as a team because he’s our second fastest runner”, senior Tony Mckenna said. “I know how hard he works, and I feel bad for him that he won’t be able to race in the states because he deserves it”.

As the season comes to a close for everyone besides Morgenfeld and Bharadwaj, the rest of the team is taking a short break before their training for the Track and Field season begins. The CIF State Championship race is on Saturday, November 25 at Woodward Park in Fresno.