Disclaimer: Lola Ranieri is a member of Carrollton’s cross country team.

On Friday, October 6th, Carrollton’s cross country team took a van ride to Lakeland, Florida for the Florida Runners Invitational Race. After running the course in the afternoon and enjoying an abundant Olive Garden feast, the team’s pre-race tradition, the runners excitedly awaited the early-morning gunshot that would begin their race.  

The JV team competed in the Open Varsity race and placed second among 15 teams, with Arianna Garcia ‘26 finishing runner-up.

The varsity team competed in the Race of Champions, a prestigious race only the best teams in the state get invited to participate in, and placed fourth as a team. With over 265 participants from 33 schools throughout Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia, the Race of Champions was a thrilling event, especially on a course with towering hills that seemed nearly impossible to climb and made even observers feel out of breath. 

After her remarkable participation in the Race of Champions, Grace Aldrich ‘25 now holds the second fastest time for a 5k race in Carrollton history with a time of 18 minutes and 58 seconds, closely following Daniela Hernandez ‘27, who, earlier this season, broke the school record and currently holds the fastest time of 18 minutes and 44 seconds.

The cross-country runners continue to deliver exceptional performances. They are predicted to be district and regional champions and finish in the first five teams at the State Championship. With the team’s top six runners being among the 30 fastest runners in Carrollton’s history, the team expects to carry on with their persistent success and possibly win a State Championship in the years to come.