SHS team makes strides at state

November 6, 2011

Kate Mattox won an individual state championship for the Lady Jackets in Clinton on Saturday. (Photo by Lee Adams, SDN)

From Staff Reports

CLINTON – The Starkville High School cross country team has made tremendous strides during the fall season.
The improvement of the Yellowjackets was evident Saturday afternoon at the Class 5A State meet at Choctaw Trails in Clinton.
Kate Mattox won an individual state championship with a time of 15:01 and helped the SHS girls to a second place team finish with 62 points. Saltillo won the meet with 53 points.
The Jackets finished third behind Oxford and Saltillo.
"We set out to win state and although we didn't meet the intended goal, we showed significant improvement over last year," SHS cross country coach Caroline Woomer said. "Our boys went from placing sixth last year to placing third this year. Our girls went from placing eighth last year to second this year. I am proud of our teams and we have something to work for next year."
Walker Mattox came in third individually for the Lady Jackets, while Abigail Arinder was seventh. Along with Kate Mattox, those runners were recognized as All-State.
The accomplishment for Kate Mattox was even more impressive due to the fact she was sick during the week which caused concern.
"We are so proud of Kate," Woomer said. "We were worried about her, but she came to the meet excited and ready to run. Her goal was to win it all and leave it all on the course. She did just what she set out to accomplish. She has a great attitude, fantastic work ethic and talent."
For the boys individually, Kamau Bostic was second and Joseph MacGown was third to capture All-State honors.