The Brighton High girls’ cross country team made history last fall by making the state meet for the first time in school history.
Four and a half months later one of the team’s best runners made some history of her own.
When Katlyn Varnadore signed with Brescia University, a four-year school in Owensboro, Ky., last Thursday, she became the first Brighton girl to sign a cross country scholarship.
“She really kind of helped build what we’ve got going here and helped start the tradition of us going to state and placing in meets,” said Reed Spicer, Brighton’s girls’ cross country coach. “She’s done a great job in a leadership role.”
Varnadore medaled in every regular season meet last fall before helping the team finish in the top three at the region meet to qualify for the state meet in Hendersonville.
“It means a lot to be a senior that helped lead us to state,” said Varnadore.
Spicer said Varnadore’s tenacity was the key to her success.
“She’s got the grind,” Spicer said. “She doesn’t like for anybody to be in front of her. She’s kinda got that dog mentality is how we say it. If there’s somebody in front of her she’s the dog going after them.”
Varnadore, who plans to help support the program in the future, said the likes cross country because it allows individuals and the team as a whole to succeed. She also believes it’s a therapeutic sport.
“I do it because I have a lot of fun and it’s a big stress reliever,” she said. “Running is my way to deal with everything.”
