The varsity girls cross country team will run at state this weekend after claiming the regional championship last Saturday.

Senior Arin Rice placed first earning her a spot running as an individual along with her team.

 “I’m pumped up,” senior Arin Rice said. “I’m feeling even better about this year than I was last year.”

This will be Arin’s fourth appearance at state as an individual runner.

“Arin has a great shot to win,” girls cross country coach Ray Baca said. “She has some really good competition there but if I had to bet on anyone, I would bet on her.”

The distance of the race has increased from 2 miles to a 5K or 3.1 miles.

“Our training has been a little different,” Rice said. “The workouts are longer and we haven’t done as much speed exercises, but overall we have just been training like we always have.”

Rice said that despite last year’s race not going as planned; the team is still good and is planning on doing well

“I feel really good,” Coach Baca said. “If we run like we did at regionals I think we have a great chance.”