Lady Rangers senior glad to end prep career with back-to-back state cross country meets
For the second straight year in the second-ever season of Roland High School cross country, at least one runner will end the season at the Class 3A State Meet.
After qualifying with former Roland Ranger and current Carl Albert State College runner Landon Killer last fall, Roland Lady Rangers senior Molly Carver will get to end her high school career with a second straight appearance at the Class 3A State Meet, which will take place at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at North Rock Creek High School, located north of Shawnee.
“I was very excited, and I’m ready to do basically what I did last year for this year and give it my all for my senior year,” Carver said. “I’m super excited.”
While Carver had a fairly good feeling a second straight state berth was clinched at last Saturday’s Class 3A Regional Meet, it was still pleasing to know she had made it after having some sub-par results earlier this season.
“I was super nervous though because I didn’t think I would run very good because I’ve had a lot of adversity (earlier this season),” she said. “Some of my races just haven’t been the best.”
Carver can accomplish one or two key feats at Saturday afternoon’s Class 3A State Meet. One, she could be crowned the Class 3A state individual champion. Secondly, she also could make All-State status with a top-10 finish. Of course, both feats are accomplishable.
“I would be very excited,” she said about achieving either or both feats. “It would definitely be an exciting day. That would be like my favorite way to go out my senior year. That’s something I’m looking forward to.”
If neither of those two feats can be accomplished, there is a third accomplishment Carver could achieve — finishing better than her 32nd-place finish at last year’s Class 3A State Meet.
“That would be great,” Carver said. “I did PR (personal best) at regionals at a faster time than last year’s state meet, so I would like to run faster than that. I’m looking to run like in the 12s (12-minute mark).”
