The girls cross country team has long held a respected reputation for their wins, and this season is no exception.  With an outstanding track record, the group has been a source of pride for the school and a threat to competing teams. 

In a triumphant victory, they emerged as Skyland Champions. In early October, the girls won their first conference title since 2013, beating out Pingry by 6 points, the 11th time the team has been awarded this honor. Seniors Anna King, Lauren Barker, juniors Sabrina Sardar, Liana Dudajek, Adrianna Fetaya, Emily Miller, and sophomore Nivedha Sundarrajan earned a 21:07 average, gaining first place in the 5,000-meter varsity race against 20 other teams. 

“We’ve been putting in the work since the beginning of summer and it’s finally paying off now,” sophomore Nivi Sundarrajan said. “Everyone on the team has grown and improved so much and I’m excited to see what more we can accomplish.”  

The hard work has surely paid off. The Lady Raiders additionally won the girls title in the Somerset County Championships meet in Basking Ridge, with King as a notable fourth-place finisher in a time of 19:48. They were granted first place overall out of 13 teams by 3 points.

 The girls were guided by Coach Richard Refi to a successful meet at the Central Jersey NJSIAA sectionals in Jamesburg on Oct. 29. They placed second, only 20 points behind Freehold Township. King was awarded top 5, and finished her high school career at Holmdel in the Meet of the Champions. The Lady Raiders concluded their fall season at NJSIAA Group Championships in Holmdel as well.

Another year has gone by, and the girls maintain their respected name, giving HHS something to root for at the start of every new school year.