The PV girls cross country team traveled to Darlington Park last Monday to take on Demarest. The team ended up losing, but standout Ashley Evans made Pascack Valley history by running the fastest time ever recorded by a PV girl at Darlington.

Evans ran a time of 19:33, coming in first of any girl from either team. But Evans’ first place finish was not enough to carry the team to victory in that race.

“I felt good that day,” Evans said to put her outlook very simply.

The person who previously held the record is actually Evans herself. Going into the race though, Evans used her competitors as her motivation to fuel her first place finish.

“I tried to be at an equal pace as [Demarest’s Courtney Burnett]. At Darlington, there’s a big hill that stands out. I wanted to pass her at that hill.”

Cross Country Coach Russ Grier relayed nothing but positive messages about Evans.

“She’s a great runner, a great athlete, a hard-worker, a leader, and a leader by a example,” Coach Grier started. “She’s the best talent we’ve seen in this decade. Maybe even the century.”

“Maybe the millennium,” Assistant Coach Brian Koch added.

Grier echoed Evans’ game plan, one that she executed very well.

“Keep the pace [with Burnett] throughout the race and then pass her at the hill. That’s what she stuck to and what she did,” Coach Grier replied.

And in his typical fashion, Grier ended with some light humor.

“She needs to dress warmer for the colder weather. Right Ashley?” Coach Grier joked.

“Yep,” Evans answered with a big smile on her face.