Cor Jesu makes a run at adding to state cross country hardware haul

The Chargers have acquired three consecutive girls cross country state trophies despite being bounced around and bumped up in class. 

There were questions coming into the season with the loss of key runners at the top of the group.

But the Chargers qualified for the Class 5 state championship meet with a third-place finish in the highly competitive Class 5 District 3 meet last weekend at St. Vincent Park. 

"We controlled what we could control," Helbig said. "I'm so happy that we did that. It's never a given. I think in their mind, they planned to be at state. It's super important to visualize it and make it a reality."

Cor Jesu will look for its fourth consecutive season with a state trophy when it takes the course for the Class 5 race at 2:15 p.m. Saturday at Gans Creek Cross Country Course in Columbia.

Running without her two older sisters for the first time in her career at Cor Jesu, senior Maria Luna has been a steady leader for as the Chargers punched their ticket to state for the fourth consecutive season.

"It feels really exciting," Luna said. "It's kind of sad because it's my last year, but also excited for one final time to get to go with the team. We've all worked really hard for it, so it feels really good."

Helbig sang the praises of Luna, who has been there throughout the Chargers' strong run. 

"Maria is very low key and chill," Helbig said. "She just does the job she needs to do every day. She shows up in races when she needs to show up. She's a three-time all-state runner and really hoping for that fourth time."

Returning after a third-team All-Metro selection is the Chargers' hammer — sophomore Mary McKenzie. 

She blitzed the district course in 18 minutes and 30.33 seconds to capture the district title. 

"She is so focused, so specific, she knows exactly what she wants to do and when she wants to do it," Helbig said. "I think that seriousness and drive counter-balances her fun personality. She loves this. I think that combo, almost conflicting approach, really works well for her."

While she captured the district title, seeing her teammates cross the finish line was a bigger concern for the sensational sophomore.

"Everyone ran so strong (at district). I'm so happy for everyone," McKenzie said. "When they came across, I saw them coming in and our fourth, fifth and sixth, they just came in one two three and they were all right there."