Special to The Dorchester Banner/Dave Ryan Varsity and junior varsity members of Cambridge-South Dorchester High School made the trip Saturday to the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association cross country championships at Hereford High School.

HEREFORD — A grueling cross country season came to an end Saturday at the state championships at Hereford High School, where Cambridge-South Dorchester High School girls placed seventh among Region 1A’s 11 teams, with 155 points. C-SD’s girls were state champs in 2013.

C-SD’s boys were 11th in a field of 12 teams, after having to call on junior varsity runners to replace injured or sick starters. The Vikings’ fastest boy was Ben Cornwell, who finished 48th with a time of 20:06.3.

Junior Noe Cervantes of North Dorchester High School was the county’s only boy to reach the top 25 and earn a medal. Noe ran an 18:22.6 and earned ninth place in the state.

He was the only representative of his school, which did not qualify full boys’ or girls’ squads.

Two C-SD girls earned medals: Senior Diandra Rhoden placed fifth overall, with a time of 22:01.6; and sophomore Brooke Webster, 25th, who finished the hilly, 3.1-mile course in 23:24.3.

After solid performances in the Bayside and Region 1A East championships over the last two weeks, the girls felt confident and prepared to defend their title, but things didn’t go their way.

“On the ladies’ side, it was a disappointment,” Coach Sean Reincke said. “You look at it and try to figure out why.”

Special to The Dorchester Banner/Dave Ryan Two C-SD girls made the top 25 in Region 1A, earning medals for their success. From the left are Brooke Webster, who placed 25th, and Diandra Rhoden, 5th.

As a test of physical abilities and mental toughness, competitive runners sometimes have it, and sometimes don’t. If that happens on race day, “You hope it’s one or two, not three or four,” Coach Reincke said.

But the girls didn’t quit or make excuses. “I know who they are and I know their character,” he said, looking over the team munching some post-meet pizza in a restaurant on the way home.

He noted that the coaches seemed to be taking the loss harder than the resilient teens, who were enjoying their night out together.

“I just feel bad for them - they wanted it,” Coach Reincke said. “These kids work for everything they get.”

As for the boys, “They met our expectations,” he said. “They ran the best they could for three miles.”

Their race featured the efforts of freshman Derrick Seymour, who as the eighth-fastest runner, was the team’s alternate. A last-minute illness led to Derrick’s getting the call to go, and he headed out to run for the Vikings.

Diandra Rhoden also had a successful day, with her fifth-place finish.

“I was really proud,” she said on the bus coming home as her teammates sang along to songs on the radio. “My dream came true. I got a medal at states. I feel like I gave my team and my coaches what they wanted.”

Brooke Webster was also pleased with her results and was already planning for next season.

“I definitely have to run over the summer,” she said, adding that she will also work on eating well. She noted that keeping a positive frame of mind as she ran the course helped her to overcome pain in her knees.

The winning girls’ team was Smithsburg - whom Cambridge beat last year by 2 points. The Western Maryland squad finished with 46 points.

Katie Leisher of Manchester Valley was the fastest girl, with a time of 19:41.6.

The top boys’ team was Southern Garrett, with a score of 43. The day’s fastest boy was Bohemia Manor’s Ty Franks, who finished in a time of 16:26.1.