Undefeated!

From left, Jacob Criddle, Rachel Lampman, Emily DeSantis and Matilynn Pierson pose for a group photo.

Mountain Home Junior High School's cross country team made school history earlier this month by after the girls squad went undefeated throughout their 2015 season.

In addition, the school's cross country team went on to clinch the district meet, held at the Desert Canyon Golf Course.

During the season, the junior high Tigers competed against and defeated a total of 24 other schools from the InterValley League, the Magic Valley and Sun Valley, according to coach Dan Young.

Mountain Home's junior high girls squad are ranked third in the state, trailing two Boise schools. The team's fastest runners are eighth grader Matilynn Pierson who placed sixth in the school's league and ranked 16th statewide, and Emily DeSantis, who finished seventh in the league and is ranked 19th statewide.

"Our girls' team has been very strong the past three years, winning most of their meets," Young said. "The previous two years, they came very close to winning the InterValley Championship but has come in a close second both times."

A key to their success the past three years is attributed to all the athletes who return year after year, Young added.

"They work very hard during the season and have a great attitude," he added. "Throughout the entire season, our whole focus from week to week is on improvement. It is gratifying to all of us to compare the athletes' performance at the beginning of the season with the end of the season. They learn first-hand that hard work truly pays off."

Meanwhile, the junior high boys team showed tremendous improvement. Returning from last year, eighth grader, Jacob Criddle led the boys squad, placing third in the league and 16th statewide.

As a team the boys placed 10th in their league this year. In recent years, the boys squad has posted a few winning seasons that include winning the InterValley League Championship in addition to being a two-time runner up for the same championship title.

"Our junior high and high school cross country programs are truly just one program as we travel together to some meets, sometimes practice together, and finish off the season with a combined awards banquet," Young said.