The Lady Tiger Cross Country team wrapped up their season with a 15th place finish at the state finals in Terre Haute Saturday. Warsaw finished with 388 points. Carmel won the title with 100 points. The Warsaw Lady Tigers capped off a remarkable cross country season with an inspiring performance at the IHSAA State Finals in Terre Haute on Saturday, finishing 15th overall with 388 points—just 12 points shy of 14th-place Avon. Along the way, Warsaw toppled several of the state’s perennial powerhouse programs, marking their highest state meet finish since 2016. Senior Sammi Rastrelli led the charge once again, finishing 29th overall in a blazing 18:20.2, capping off a stellar senior campaign. Her sister, Dani Rastrelli, followed with a determined effort, clocking 19:07.9 for 69th place. Eden Metz turned in another strong performance for Warsaw, running 19:37.8 to claim the 128th spot. Rounding out the scoring five were Abi Marsh, who delivered a breakthrough personal best of 19:59.3 (174th), and Katie Robertson, who also notched a PR with a time of 20:28.7 (204th). Hannah Fisher (20:45.9, 226th) and Savannah Purdy (20:56.5, 230th) completed the team’s impressive all-under-21:00 effort—just the second time this season that every Warsaw runner finished below that mark. “This group came here today determined to prove they belong among the best,” said Coach Jason Fleming. “We knew the race would go out fast, but the girls positioned themselves well early and competed with heart the entire way. When you have 20 athletes finishing within ten seconds of each other, every stride and every place matters. These girls never stopped racing—they showed composure, confidence, and a fierce competitive spirit. I couldn’t be more proud of the way they represented Warsaw.” Coach Zvers echoed those sentiments, adding, “What stands out most about this group is their unity. They trust each other, they train together with purpose, and they show up when it matters most. To see four girls under 20 minutes at the state meet—it’s a testament to their hard work all season long.” Coach Nate Howett praised the team’s preparation and consistency: “This team is a coach’s dream. They bought into the process, supported one another, and executed the race plan exactly how we talked about. They’ve raised the standard for what it means to compete for Warsaw.” Coach Linn highlighted the senior leadership that guided the team through the season: “Our seniors have set such an incredible example. Their leadership, faith, and commitment to doing things the right way—on and off the course—have shaped the identity of this program. We’re deeply grateful for the tone they’ve set for our younger runners.” The 2025 season closes as one of the most memorable in recent history for the Lady Tigers—marked by a top-15 state finish, multiple personal bests, and a team culture built on faith and determination, Warsaw’s future looks bright. "As the sun set over the LaVern Gibson course, the Lady Tigers walked away with pride, purpose," Fleming said. "The legacy of a season that proved Warsaw Cross Country runs with the heart of champions." See the full results by clicking here and scrolling down: https://www.tfrrs.org/results/xc/26249 photo by Lynn Murphy