St. Ursula hasn’t participated in its first cross country meet yet, but already the Bulldogs have been competing at a very high level, according to St. Ursula coach Jeff Branhan.

St. Ursula is the reigning Division I state champion and return four of the seven runners who competed at the state meet. The Bulldogs open this Saturday (Sept. 1) at the Ohio Classic in Hillsboro.

 

“The girls are training exceptionally well and are really looking forward to getting back into uniform,” Branhan said. “This first meet will be interesting as we have a strong group of 15 girls working together at a very similar level looking to secure one of those seven varsity spots come October.”

 

Shannon Balmat, Erin Hecht, Teresa Thaler and Christina Zaffiro return from the 2006 team.

Branhan said after the state title, the squad took on a new understanding of what it means to compete at the state level.

 

“They have shown, even in these early stages of training, that the potential within this team is far superior to any group we have had before,” Branhan said.

 

St. Ursula, which was Girls Greater Cincinnati League Scarlet division runners-up a year ago, has made five consecutive trips to the state meet – the longest current streak among Cincinnati area teams, according to Branhan.

 

“(The runners) are really competitive with one another but extremely supportive at the same time,” Branhan said. “It is an exciting time.”