Although being a new program, the McAuliffe Middle School girl’s cross-country team had an impressive 2014 season. They competed in the DPS championship on October 7 and then went on to state on October 18.

Sixth-grader Christina Doolan celebrates with the McAuliffe girls cross-country team after winning the DPS championship in October. Photo courtesy of Maricris Doolan.

“We’ve got incredible talent on the team,” coach Lizzie Mara says. “Not only that but this year was a lot of the girls’ first time running cross country.”

Sixth-grader Christina Doolan won the DPS championship out of nearly 700 runners. She ran 1.8 miles in 12:20.

This was her first year running cross-country, on top of her other big commitment, Irish Step Dancing. “She is very humble and low key about how awesome she is,” Mara says. “She shows up with a smile on her face and never rolls her eyes. She loves the work of it just as much as she loves the reward. She’s probably exceptional for her age in all ways.”

Maisie Maskowitz, Lily Martin, Anna Buddenhagen, and Grace Staberg also had exceptional seasons. Mara is excited a lot of the girls are in sixth or seventh grades and will return next year. “We’re going to have a powerhouse of a team. They’ll return as veterans and know what to expect.”