Senior cross country runner Karen Wai finished her season strong, placing 96th at the California Interscholastic Federation State Championships on Nov. 28 at Woodward Park in Fresno.

“I’m pretty happy with my time and that I got a PR,” said Wai.

That PR (Personal Record) was a speedy 9 seconds faster than her previous time on the 5K course, bringing her final time to 19:48, 6:23 mile pace.

“The hills are always evil,” said Wai, “and [Woodward Park] was super-dooper crowded. There was a lot of competition, and all the girls went out really strong.”

Wai has run at the state championship a total of three times: her freshman year with the team and junior and senior years as an individual. Following an impressive 10th place finish at Central Coast Sectionals Finals on Nov. 14, she was overall happy with her last cross country season.

“I’m really happy I had a good last race,” said Wai. “I [wanted] to give it my all since it’s my senior year.”