Dufrene (18:59.2) ran away with gold, beating the next closes runner by a 1 minute, 40 seconds.

“I’m really grateful,” she said. “Everything that I have is because of God, I run for him.”

Her teammate Keiara Shaffer (20:50.3) was third and also punched her ticket to states, while Brenna Pick (21:59.6) was two spots out of qualifying.

As a team they lost to Sullivan County by 12 points, 36-48.

CHRIS MANNING/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Warrior Run's Aiden Hoffman competes on Thursday at the District 4 cross country championships.

“I knew we had to get points from Sullivan County,” Shaffer said. “I was trying to stick with the second girl the whole time, but obviously it didn’t go so well, but I’m still happy with how I did.”

There was a stiff wind, especially down the final stretch of the course.

“I knew it was going to be windy, but I also knew that we were all going to be running the same conditions, so I was just doing whatever I can because I know that I can’t control the weather,” Dufrene remarked. “I was trying to run for time because I knew there wouldn’t be anyone really up there that much with me. I’m not disappointed for time, I think it is what it is, and I’m excited for states next week.”

The two teammates are excited to be going together.

“It’s exciting,” said Shaffer. “It’s nice to know I’m going with one of my teammates.”

In the boys’ Class AA race Aiden Hoffman (16:34.6) was third overall for Warrior Run to punch his ticket to states.

He moved up quite a bit as he was sixth going into the final stretch.