Midlothian's Kate Jaeger wins Class 5 girls cross country championship

Kate Jaeger, a sophomore, won the VHSL Class 5 girls cross country title Nov. 16

When Midlothian sophomore Kate Jaeger won the Class 5 girls cross country title, she felt fulfilled.

Jaeger, who was third at states last season, was under the impression during the entire race that someone was close behind her. She kept hearing people on the side chanting the name of Briar Wood's runner Megan Greenlund, who placed second. It led Jaeger to believe Greenlund was nearby.

Turns out that wasn't the case. Jaeger won by 13 seconds and took home her first cross country state title Saturday.

"I thought she was going to pass me," Jaeger said. "Once I finished, I just felt really accomplished."

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Jaeger finished in 19:05. It wasn't her fastest but it was the pace she needed to get the job done. Earlier this season, Jaeger set a personal record -- she finished the Virginia Showcase on Oct. 19 at 17:47.

This was not her first rodeo competing at the state meet, despite being a sophomore. The 2023 All-Metro first teamer was third last season, finishing behind two seniors.

Jaeger knew she had a chance this year, with both of those seniors graduating.

"It felt really rewarding," Jaeger said. "I was just really excited."

The 2024 state meet was different for the sophomore. Last season, Jaeger qualified for states but Midlo as a team didn't. This time, her team was there with her.

The presence of her fellow Trojans motivated Jaeger that much more. Midlo finished fifth as a team in Class 5.

"It's honestly a lot better this (year) than last year," Jaeger said. "Having my teammates there were just felt so much more encouraging because I had friends on the side cheering for me.

"Having my team there just made me want to go faster for them."

The state meet was in Leesburg, Virginia, at Oatlands Plantation. Jaeger and Midlo scouted the course the night before and she remembered that it was hilly.

Though those hills made Jaeger a bit nervous, she said. However, once Jaeger got on the course she went into go-mode and says she doesn't remember most of the race. And that's how she won her first cross country title.

With the Trojans around, Jaeger wanted to do her best because it wasn't just for her.

"When I run alone, there doesn't feel like there's a reason behind me," Jaeger said. "When there's someone else there to kind of push me on, it just feels like I need to do this for them."

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Jaeger will now shift her attention to indoor track and swimming. The sophomore competes in both and only has a few rest days before the winter sports season starts.

This will be Jaeger's first year competing in indoor track, though she was with the Trojans for the 2024 outdoor season. For Jaeger, coming in fresh off a state title, she feels like she's soaring.

"It maybe gives me a little too much (confidence)," Jaeger said with a laugh. "I feel like it's kind of all carrying on. I'm just a lot more confident going into this season."

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Jaeger will head to Midlothian's rafters, with her name next to state title winners. Being only a sophomore, she still has room to grow and more titles to pursue. Midlo as a whole was a young cross country team and Jaeger is hopeful the Trojans will compete for team and individual titles in the coming years.

How has her life changed since bringing home the hardware? Well, she's getting recognition on campus.

"I keep getting a bunch of congratulations in the halls," Jaeger said. "I don't know, it makes me happy."

Midlothian's Kimberly Jones (4) beats Lightridge's Cara Welton's (12) catch at second to stay safe during the state quarterfinals girls softball game against Lightridge in Midlothian, Va. June 4. The Trojans would win the game 3-2.