Despite running on the cross country team for the first time, sophomore Sarah Madsen found a way into the postseason.

“I think that throughout the season I gained confidence in myself,” Madsen said.

Madsen has ran track before, for both club and school, but this is the first time that she has run long distance.

“She had a rough transition at first,” sophomore runner Kara Stark said. “But she took the change really well and had a great season.”

Madsen’s 5k time at the beginning of the year was 1:39 longer than it was at the end of the season.

“Sarah always worked really hard, and always tried her best,” Stark said.

In her first year running long distance, Madsen ran in the district meet and qualified for sectionals. She hopes to improve in certain aspects of running in the off season.

“Next year I want to control my breathing during races and not freak out,” Madsen said.

Throughout the year Madsen feels like she improved as a runner overall.

“Running a 5k seemed really intimidating at first,” Madsen said.

The cross country team was very supportive of Madsen, and helped her throughout the season.

“Running with my friends pushed me to work hard during workouts and helped me become a better runner in general,” Madsen said.