The Charles Henderson High School cross-country season came to a close over the weekend with two runners participating in the state meet.

Rayvion Williams and Katherine Branson made the trip to the State Meet.

Williams finished with her second-best time of her career when she finished the 5K in 20 minutes and 51 seconds, good enough for 20th best in the state in Class 5A.

“I’m really proud of that young lady,” said head coach Doug Branson. “There were adverse conditions up there. It was 37 degrees with the wind chill at 25 when they ran. She did a great job. She ran hard all year and had an outstanding junior season.”

As a seventh grader, Katherine Branson qualified for state for the first time. She ran her race in 23 minutes 21 seconds, putting her in the top 100 in the state.

“I’m really proud of her as a seventh grader, going up there wide-eyed and anxious young lady,” Doug Branson said. “She got up there and competed and did a really nice job. Couldn’t be prouder of her as a dad and as a coach.”

This weekend’s challenging weather is nothing new for the Trojans. They have battled the elements all season long. From hurricanes to severe weather threats, the 2018 season brought it all.

“It was a challenging season,” coach Branson said. “The weather was so much more of a factor than it’s ever been in the four or five years that I have been a coach. We had three events cancelled due to weather. That just doesn’t happen.”

Before heading to state, Williams finished third at sectionals, while Katherine Branson finished in 11.

“All in all, it was a successful season,” Branson said. “It was a challenging, difficult season. Not trying to make excuses, it was just not a typical cross-country season.”

The hope is that the Trojans will build off their experience of running at the state level.

“I think their experience is invaluable,” coach Branson said. “I think they both understand where they are right now. Going into next season, we know what we have to do to improve and get to where we need to go.”