Sophomore Ava Buitenhuis qualified for the state cross country meet and will be participating on Friday, Nov. 6 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan.

“I was very happy because I’ve been putting in a lot of work this season,” Buitenhuis said. “I was just happy because I didn’t know for sure if I was going to go with all the people getting quarantined.”

Buitenhuis joined cross country in seventh grade because her sisters were a part of it and her mom encouraged her.

“Ever since I  started, I just love the team atmosphere and everybody in it so I decided to stick with it,” Buitenhuis said.

Buitenhuis has learned to push herself in cross country from practices and meets allowing her to reach her personal record.

Even though Buitenhuis continues to play in high school, she still doesn’t know about continuing cross country in college.

“I’m unsure about it still because it’s a tough sport and a big commitment,” Buitenhuis said.