The Cross Country Rocks capped off an incredible season with a win at the state championship race. A big reason for their success was junior All-State runner Eli Oetken. Oetken was outstanding even winning the regional championship. He was very excited to take the state championship title on October 28 in Paris, KY where he took fifth place. “State went great, it was a tough course, and the competition was good, but we did it.”

When asked about his role model in running, Eli said, “I’d have to say Trevor Warren who ran for Trinity and set a whole bunch of records.” Warren, class of 2018, holds many records that Oetken strives to accomplish as well.

Eli has been running for almost his whole life, so these challenges he’s faced this season are no match for him. “I’ve been running cross country since kindergarten, but I really like the people that run, and I also like pushing myself.”

The Rocks look to build on recent success next season as they bring back Oetken and a good number of strong underclassmen.