The Utica varsity girls cross country team lined up at the starting line amongst ten other teams at the Regionals meet held by Romeo at the Goodells County Park on Oct. 25. In the 41° weather, there was a heavy silence before the gun went off, and two runners broke off from the rest of the team.

Throughout the 2025-26 season, cross country athletes Senior Captain Siene Muraszewski and sophomore Kylie Brown have emerged from the rest of the team, setting new personal record’s, climbing farther up in the rankings, and individually qualifying for the State meet held on Nov. 1. 

Ranked 32 out of almost 250 girls for the Division 1 State meet, the school Record Holder of the 3200-meters ran an 18:34.4; placing 4th at the Regionals meet, 21 seconds off her PR. Muraszewski reflects on qualifying individually all four years of high school and her experience qualifying as a team for the third time in a row. 

“I was confident knowing that I was in my place that I was supposed to be to guarantee third place for my team,” Muraszewski said. “I feel accomplished. States is exciting, and it’s a good race because it is the best competition in Michigan for running. It allows for a fast course and the opportunity to run at a higher level.” 

Brown was ranked 114 out of almost 250 girls for the Division 1 State meet by placing 11th with a time of 19:05.47 at the Regionals meet. She reflects on breaking her previous time of 19:28.6 from the Macomb County Championship on Oct. 11, as well as qualifying for the State meet for her first year on the varsity team. 

“It feels amazing. It’s crazy to think that I was in JV last year, and now almost to the top of varsity,” Brown said. “I never used to think that I would get sub 19:30 before, but here I am qualifying for States, it feels incredible. Hard work definitely pays off.” 

Muraszewski, Brown and the team will be heading down the State meet on Oct. 31 to Brooklyn, MI at the Michigan International Speedway to compete on Nov. 1 amongst 27 teams and individual qualifiers.