With a 6-2 record, the girls cross country team is having one of its best seasons in years.
"I have been involved coaching the girls for nine years and this is the best team we've had," said Hightstown Coach Tom McCafferty.
According to McCafferty, it wasn't a total surprise. Hightstown had a good core group of runners back. Add in a pair of sophomores that keep dropping their times and you get some wins.
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"Hannah Schmitt is a sophomore that never ran cross country before," McCafferty said. "She has been our number five runner all year and she keeps closing on the top four."
Sarina Sokoloff, another sophomore, is someone else who keeps lowering her times.
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"She finished last season running in the high 23 minutes," McCafferty said. "In the race [on Sept. 27], she ran a 21:33. We're only halfway through the season. She could get even lower."
Hightstown picked up two of its wins during a quad meet on Sept. 27. Hightstown defeated Ewing (18-37) and Allentown (20-35). Hightstown was defeated by Notre Dame (23-33).
Niki Khandelwal (21:13) was the top finisher for Hightstown. Hannah Foss (21:19), Sarina Sokoloff (21:33), Olivia Gerrits (21:45), Hannah Schmitt (22:17), Diana Taveras (24:56), Kira Costantino (26:26) and Rachel Wilson (26:29) also ran in the race for the Rams.
Hightstown will be back in action on Saturday when it competes in the Shore Coaches Invitational, held at Holmdel Park. This is a big race because teams are matched against those from their own state grouping. The course is also the one that hosts the championship races.
"The way the girls have been running, might as well shoot for a top ten finish," McCafferty said. "The girls have been running well. Why not go for it?"
