Not only is the Goodrich girls cross country team a powerhouse athletically, but they are equally proficient when hitting the books.
The Martians, who won their third straight Division 3 state girls cross country championship in November, has also been recognized as an Academic All-State team. Their cumulative 3.987 grade point averaged ranked them second only to Saginaw Swan Valley High School.
Academic All-State status is determined by the Michigan High School Athletic Association, which uses a calculation based on the student’s grade point average and their finish in the state meet.
Goodrich cross country co-coach Terry Castor said the MHSAA takes the top five grade point averages out of the seven competitors for each team at the state meet to determine all-state academic honors.
Each team with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher receives a certificate of recognition.
Castor said the girls have done an excellent job balancing academics and athletics.
‘It’s pretty challenging,? he said. ‘They work year-round with their running. Quite often, they’re quite anxious to get done with practice so they can do their homework.?
Co-coach Jennifer Sweet also said the team rose to the challenge in both areas.
‘They didn’t really struggle with that (balancing academics and athletics),? she said. ‘That group of girls seems to excel in the classroom.?
In addition to team honors, sophomore Mary Haiderer, junior Kaitlin O’Mara, senior Samantha Minkler and junior Kelsey Meyers also achieved individual Academic All-State recognition.
In order to achieve individual Academic All-State honors, a cross-country competitor must finish in the top half of the field at the state and have a 3.8 or higher grade point average. Haiderer led the team with a 4.0 GPA.