Dexter Girls Cross Country Team Heading to State Finals

MILFORD — The girls' cross country team delivered fierce competition Saturday, taking second place out of 17 teams at the Michigan High School Athletic Association regional meet at Willow Metropark.

"The girls ran incredibly strong," coach Katie Jazwinski said.

Sophomore Elise Dombkowski led the team with a seventh place finish running 19:51. Sophomore Cailin McLean was 18th overall and the team's second runner with 20:09.

"Cailin continues to improve, and although she ran very well, we think she is saving her best race for the state meet on Saturday," Jazwinski said.

Sophomore Robin Jackson placed 22nd overall with a time of 20:21. Freshman Elizabeth Greve was 23rd, running 20:22, and Emily Pap was 24th overall with 20:33.

"All three of these scorers were key in our ticket to state as they passed other teams runners right at the finish line," Jazwinski said.

Rounding out the varsity team was freshman Alex Ammann (20:45) and freshman Paige O'Piela (21:16).

"It was a total team effort once again. Although the race was 3.1 miles it was the last 0.1 of the race that the Dexter girls finished better than a couple of the teams finishing behind them," Jazwinski said. "We don't have many front runners yet. So, we depend on the depth and strength of our team. We are incredibly happy to qualify for the state meet again at least for the last 10 consecutive years."

The Division 1 state finals will be held Saturday at Michigan International Speedway. The boys' race begins at 1 p.m. with the girls starting at 2 p.m.