Despite the nerves, Toler completed the difficult course in one of the fastest times of her career.
Placing second was Clark runner Lindy Darnell with a 23:24, a surprise to Darnell, who was seventh a year ago in the same meet.
"I thought the meet would be harder than it turned out to be," she said. "I tried harder (Saturday) and placed better than last year."
Placing third was Clark's Lydia Gapp with a time of 23:43. Gapp ran most of the race in fifth place, but moved up to third with three quarters of a mile remaining.
"I think the team did well," Gapp said.
Gapp's brother — boys' team co-captain Amos Gapp — liked the way the girls' team finished.
"I thought all the girls really stepped it up," he said.
Finishing in sixth for Clark was Taylor Welch. Genna Petrey was 11th, while Destiny Hembree placed 23rd and Lilly Shear finished 41st.
"I am proud to be a part of this team, and amazed at how much better we are now than last year," Petrey said.
In the boys team competition Clark placed fourth in a hard-fought battle. Clark beat Elliott County for third place with a low score of 89-93 last year. This year, Elliott claimed the third-place trophy with a similarly slim margin of 12 points with Clark scoring 107-95. Harlan County placed second and Knox Central claimed top honors.
"Our boys are much better than last year," Clark coach Dodd Dixon said. "The only problem is the entire field had improved from last year."
Clark runner Alex White had a personal best time of 18:47 to lead Clark. White was fifth overall.
"Alex pulled through for us," Amos Gapp said.
Brandon Bailey placed 21st with a time of 20:05, followed by Grayson Brookshire in 24th (20:14). Colton Lewis was 26th (20:37), William Pope finished 31st (20:55), Ben Petrey was 34th (21:08), Clay Dixon ran in 36th-place (21:24) and Amos Gapp was 44th with a 22:02.
Each member of the boys' team improved their time from last year on the course. Dalton Caudill of Bath County won the boys' race, leading the Wildcats to an eighth place team finish overall.
