A strong track season boosts this Marvin Ridge squad to No. 8 on the girls' pre-season cross country countdown. 

Led by a whole squad of returning upperclassmen, the Mavericks have the leadership and experience to make a run at the podium come state meet. 

They were 6th at the 2021 NCHSAA 4A state meet, and they only lose one runner to graduation.

Their 1-7 split is No. 1 in the state and their 1-5 split is No. 3 in the state. From top to bottom this top seven is loaded with girls who are going to be easily under 20:00, if not all battling for sub 19:30 or better performances. 

Their top returner, junior Ella Pasko, was 5th at the indoor state meet in the 3,200m. She went on to run 11:05 at All-American in South Carolina before taking 4th in the SCC Championship in the same event. She also ran a personal best of 5:07 on the track in the 1,600m.

Their No. 6 XC returner, senior Amber Angelillo, had a great track season as she was the No. 2 1,600m runner on the team. She ran a best of 5:18. Madalyn Finn went 11:40 and Julia Mayer went 11:49 in the 3,200m.

As a team on the track, they ranked NC No. 3 in the 3,200m if it was scored liked a cross country meet. They were one of seven schools to have three returning girls under 12:00 in the 3,200m. 

They also ranked as a team NC No. 4 in the 1,600m if it was scored like a cross country meet. Their 24-second split in their 1-5 in the 1,600m ranks them NC No. 7. 

These Mavericks are an experienced, and close group of athletes that use pack running to their advantage. If they can work as a cohesive unit during races, they can knock off some of the "power-house players" in the state.