Meet the region’s best girls’ cross-country runners: The 2023 All-Observer team
Myers Park senior Mary Bonner Dalton is the Charlotte Observer girls’ cross-country runner of the year.
Dalton had a spectacular season that included breaking a 27-year-old NC state meet record. She ran a personal-best time of 16:54.06 to win the 4A state championship at Ivey Redmon Sports’ Complex in Kernersville on Nov. 4.
Dalton’s time was 29 seconds faster than the previous state meet record.
Dalton, a University of Notre Dame commit, became the first Myers Park girl in school history to win an individual cross-country state championship.
Dalton also won the 4A West Regional, SoMeck 4A conference title, the Wendy’s Invitational and the Queen City Invite this season. She capped her season with a top 10 finish at the Foot Locker national championships.
▪ Providence Day cross country coach Ben Hovis is coach of the year after leading the Chargers to the NCISAA 4A state title at Wake Med Park in Cary on Oct. 28.
Providence Day dominated the state meet, beating the field by 42 points with three runners finishing in the top five, including Carly Arrington, Morgan Boonshaft and Blane McElroy.
First team
Nicole Alfers, Christ the King: The Crusaders’ junior won the 1A state championship by 32 seconds over the field. She also ran a personal-best 17:58.83 to finish as 1A West Regional runner-up.
Charlotte Bell, Cuthbertson: The Georgetown University commit ran a personal-best 18:00.35 to finish third at the 4A Midwest Regional; also finished 10th at the 4A state championships.
Morgan Boonshaft, Providence Day: The NCISAA 4A state champion ran a personal-best 17:34.60 to win the state title by nearly 38 seconds over the field.
Alivia Cleveland, Fort Mill: The S.C. 5A state champion ran a personal-best 17:53.88 to win the Starlight Run.
Mary Bonner Dalton, Myers Park: The University of Notre Dame commit blew away the field running a personal-best and state meet record time of 16:54.06, to win the 4A state title by 50 seconds over the field.
Kasey Dingman, Lake Norman: The Wildcats’ sophomore ran a personal-best 17:59.80 at the Adidas Challenge in Cary; finished ninth at the 4A state championships.
Grace Hanson, Weddington: The University of North Carolina commit ran a season-best 17:46.85 to finish third at the 4A state championship meet.
Lauren Horwitt, Marvin Ridge: The University of South Carolina commit ran a personal-best 18:03.90 to finish as Union County runner-up; also finished 14th at the 4A state championship meet.
Caitlin Kasten, Covenant Day: The Lions’ freshman ran a personal-best 17:39.90 to finish sixth at Great American Cross Country Festival in Cary; also finished third at the NCISAA 4A state championship meet.
Stella Kermes, Cuthbertson: The University of Virginia commit ran a personal-best 17:44.20 to finish 11th overall in a loaded field at the Great American Cross Country Festival.
Annie Miller, Metrolina Christian: The Warriors’ junior was the NCISAA 4A state runner-up and she ran a personal-best and school-record time of 17:57.60 to win the Union County Championship.
Second team
Carly Arrington, Providence Day, Sr.
Molly Barber, Myers Park, So.
Kasey Cone, Charlotte Country Day, Sr.
Olivia Ferraro, North Lincoln, So.
Abby Kerrins, Charlotte Country Day Jr.
Ella Pasko, Marvin Ridge, Sr.
Justine Preisano, Cuthbertson, Sr.
Josie Schihl, Cuthbertson, So.
Sam Vanderhave, Charlotte Country Day, So.
Kate Willette, Charlotte Christian, So.
This story was originally published December 20, 2023 at 7:00 AM.
