Last season Westminster Academy’s girls cross country team became the first athletic program in school history to win a TSSAA Division II-A title state championship. 

This week the Defenders are out to defend that title.

Given that Westminster is a smaller, private Christian school with only 437 students, and faced unique challenges throughout the season, this may have surprised some. But Stephanie Chester, head coach of the girls’ cross-country team, saw what some might see as a challenge as a chance to develop. 

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“Last season was a growing season for us as a school and as a team,” Chester said. 

Chester points out that their team last season was comparatively young, with only two seniors and most of the other girls being sophomores. Their youth did not deter them; instead, they came together as a group to exhibit discipline and optimism.

“As a team at large, the girls themselves took ownership in the training to succeed,” Chester said. “Much of what we did together was rally, support and encourage one another.” 

Due to the school’s size and the simultaneous scheduling of fall sports like volleyball and soccer, the cross country team typically consists of a small number of girls. They even have a couple of runners who share time between cross country and the school’s soccer team. 

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Another way this tiny team found a way to push through to the finish line was by the addition of eighth graders. 

“We were able to bring up some eighth graders near the end just to help increase morale, bring some fresh new enthusiasm, but also to allow the girls to breathe and relax,” Chester said.

Chester was able to blend these eighth graders and sophomores with her senior standout, Sarah Catherine Donovan, who was the region runner-up and placed fourth at the state championship meet while leading the Defenders to the 2022 Division 2-A state title.

“Sarah Catherine was not only a great runner, but she was truly a leader and someone the girls could look up to,” Chester said. “She kept the morale very calm.” 

Despite Donovan’s graduation, the 2023 Defenders are a more experienced team this year and have been putting a lot of effort into showing up as a unit. 

“It’s nice to have those runners in the front, but great teams can be made by a strong pack,” Chester said. 

This year’s pack is led by two sets of sisters, Molly Cate and Caroline Anthony and Emma Kate and Caroline McDaniel. Caroline Sherrod, Elizabeth Tenent and Allie Edwards are other top runners for the team.

Being able to push each other is how the Defenders have been getting through this season and the team dynamic change. 

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“It’s been good to see them struggle in a positive way,” Chester said. “It has really brought them together and made their bond stronger as a unit.” 

Chester and her team are getting ready to defend their title on Thursday, Nov. 2, at the state championships in Hendersonville. No matter what the outcome is, Chester hopes the girls understand that sometimes success is bigger than the actual result. 

“It’s a sport and we train really hard,” she said, “but the depth in how they care about each other is what makes them who they are.”