Fatima junior Brie Massman continues to excel, finishing Saturday’s Class 2 state cross country championship race in 16th place (20:05) to secure her third All-State medal. The team scored 219 points to earn seventh in its third straight state appearance, and 24th in program history.

“Our girls team’s finish was an outstanding achievement for the team,” said Coach Marc Bridges. “I am extremely proud of how our girls battled through districts and state.”

Massman entered the race with a goal of setting a new PR. “I feel like I did a little worse than I expected, but I still got a medal, so, it’s fine,” she said. “At the beginning of the season, I’d have been like, there’s no way we’ve been making it to state as a team. I’m so proud of my teammates. They’ve definitely pushed through and gotten better to help our team.”

Bridges was pleased with Massman’s performance. “Brie is an amazing competitor and always brings her best in big competition,” he said. “Massmann has really taken a big step forward this season and I can’t wait to see what she does next.”

Verslues finished just three places out of the medals with a gutsy performance to earn 33rd in 21:10.

“I definitely think that I could have run a faster time, I went out there and I did what I could today,” she said.

I’m thankful for my family and teammates cheering me on and pushing me through.”

Senior Heidi Struemph (44, 21:27) was next to cross for Fatima. “Heidi has been the backbone of our team for four years and her 44th-place finish is a testament to her hard work,” said Bridges.

Struemph was emotional after the race. “I was so focused on staying with the pack that I kind of just, I got in with them, and I stayed with them, and then by the time I started picking up, it was a little bit too late to catch the leaders,” she said. “I’m proud of getting to state and not getting hurt.”

Karly Bock (130, 23:26) finished with a personal best time. “She had a really strong finish to the season and really helped the team to get to state,” said Bridges.

Rose Backes (157, PR 25:34) and Journey Markway. (172, 29:01) rounded out the team.

“Rose has been critical to our team’s success all season and gave her all at state,” said Bridges. “Journey had a personal best at state by nearly a minute. It’s been inspiring to watch Journey’s hard work pay off this season.”