Triad cross-country runner Holly Cole, right, talks with coach Tom Borawski before last weekend’s Division III regional meet. Cole will compete in the state meet on Saturday.
(Photo submitted)
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Holly Cole will make history on Saturday during the Division III state cross-country meet at National Trails Raceway.
Cole, a senior, will be the first Triad High School runner in recent memory to earn a berth in the state meet.
“I do not know if a Triad runner has made it this far,” said coach Tom Borawski. “I’m thinking Holly is the first, but I don’t have the information or results to support that.”
Cole qualified for the state meet with a 16th place finish during last weekend’s girls regional at Troy High School.
She was clocked in 20:42.9 and finished as one of the top 20 individual runners to advance to the state meet.
Cole will compete at National Trails at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
“It has been a true pleasure coaching Holly,” said Borawski. “When I first met her last year, I knew she was talented and driven. She trained and worked hard, but there is so much more to it than that.
“My goal was to help her start thinking like a ‘runner,’” said Borawski. “We got her and the whole team thinking about strength training, nutrition, hydration, plus rest and recovery.
“Holly has grown in all phases. She also understands there is more to be done. She is just beginning to realize her potential.”
As with any state competition, Cole will be racing very stiff competition.
“The competition will be intense, but I feel her race schedule has prepared her well for the state meet,” said Borawski. “Over the past two seasons, Triad has competed in some of the best meets in the state. She knows what it feels like to bump elbows with the best.”
Borawski has high hopes for Cole on Saturday.
“I expect Holly to go all out and hold nothing back,” he said. “She will be looking for those familiar faces… the same runners she has seen all season.”