It has been 15 years to date since St. Charles West won a state title, with the most recent sport being cheerleading in 2007.  However, on Saturday, November 5th, the St. Charles West girls cross country team gave St. Charles West its first state title of the decade, totaling 74 points over Centralia High School’s 137.

St. Charles West has not won a cross country championship since 1998 in Class 3A, totaling 51 points under coach Angela Poindexter.  Ever since then, Coach Poindexter has worked tirelessly to get another state winning team for St. Charles West.  In 2021, St. Charles West would place second overall in Class 3, losing to Father Tolton in the state race.  This year, the team was determined to get back to the state level.

The girls team started with a solid foundation, with a 1st place placement in a race at McNair Park on September 2nd.  Additionally, on September 10th, the varsity girls track team took first place at the Linn High School meet.  At the Gans Creek Classic, the varsity girls team placed 8th in the high competitive gold division.  On October 9th, the varsity girls took yet another win at the Orchard Farm meet.  Lastly, in their last regular season meet, the varsity girls were dubbed GAC North champions over local high schools such as Orchard Farm, Winfield, St. Charles, and Warrenton High Schools.

On October 29th, the girls team ran in districts and placed first overall as a team, qualifying them for the state race.  The team was filled with lots of excitement when they found out they were going to state.

“I was like ‘no way, that’s crazy!'”, says sophomore Genna Wacker.

On Friday, the Warriors prepped for the girl’s team sendoff by lining the halls with students and band members.  The team then got to walk down the halls of St. Charles West with Warrior Nation standing to the side of them, giving the team their full support.

On Saturday, the team selected top runners Genna Wacker (10), Claire Horstmann (10), Emily Finley (9), Miley Jackson (9), Reagan Govero (9), Avery Jackson (11), and Melaina Beilsmith (9) to run in the state race.  In the highest profile race of their high school year thus far, Genna Wacker earned 4 points, Claire Horstmann earned 10 points, Emily Finley with 16 points, Miley Jackson with 20 points, and Reagan Govero with 24 points.  (points are not relative to placement as some runners run individually, and not for a team).  This added to 74 points, which doubled the second place Centralia High School, and ultimately lead the team to winning their first state championship since 1998.

“We believed in ourselves, and that really helped us pulled the dub.  We also ate lots of creamy crackers (golden Oreos) before the race and that contributed,” says sophomore 7th place runner (earned 4 points) Genna Wacker.

Overall, with the successful varsity season and phenomenal postseason, the Warriors have proved their spot on the state podium, and serve as a role model for future cross country seasons to come.  Congratulations to the Lady Warriors on their state title!