Cross country coach Skeeter Rankins believed his girls team had a shot at winning a trophy at state this year. He believes it even more after their first meet.

“I would love to see the girls win a trophy,” Rankins said.

The girls team has not beaten Carroll since 2008. Junior Deidra Walker, who took first and senior Sydney Roy, second, led the way for the girls on Saturday at Lake Afton.

“I was really pleasantly surprised with the girls,” Rankins said. “I thought that we could compete with Bishop Carroll, but I wasn’t sure that we would be able to beat them.”

Six other girls medaled in that meet. Freshman Lillian Hammond fifth, junior Kassidy Watkins 10th, sophomore Nicole Goebel 11th, junior Aaren Morrell 14th, senior Shea Roy 15th and junior Dani Bever 24th.

“I was really excited by what I saw,” Rankins said.

The boys took third with their highest medalist, senior Jake Omo in ninth. Other medalist for the boys were seniors Cameron Molina and Jason Costello and junior Cole Bosley.