The cross country team wrapped up their season after having three runners advance to regionals. Between the boys’ and girls’ teams, no runners made it to state. Both of the teams had a good season with new records and improvements.

“I was initially nervous to join because it was something I’d never done before,” junior Kate Maxson said. “I used to barely be able to run one mile, and now it’s normal for me to be running up to five or six. Joining the team has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I regret not joining sooner.”

The girls worked hard to show improvement and make memories.

“The girl’s XC team has had a great season,” Maxson said. “We all have put in so much work, time, and dedication to get to this point. It’s been a season of many PRs and outstanding races. Everyone has truly shown so much improvement over the past four months. Every one of us shows up ready to put in the work every day at practice. We are each other’s biggest and loudest cheerleaders. The team loves to recognize both team and individual successes.”

With so many new members on the team, the boys have also all worked hard to improve and set new records for themselves.  

“The team this year is very young,” junior Micah Rogers said. “We have a lot of underclassmen on the team, but we have all pushed through this season amazingly. The improvement for everyone has been amazing since day one. I think this season for me has gone great. I haven’t had anything to complain about with injuries of any sort. My times have greatly improved from last season.”

As the girls headed into sectionals, they all hoped for new records and more memories. As the team got ready to race they all got set to put their best effort in hopes of advancing to regionals.

“We always find a way to make everything fun,” Maxson said. “Even though I’m sad it’s our last race, I can not wait to run sectionals this Saturday. I hope to peak and get a PR which would be a sub-25. I’ll run the best that I can and just hope everything goes as planned. I am excited to see not only how I do, but how the rest of the girls do as well!”

The boys’ sectionals took place on Oct. 14. The boys raced hoping to land themselves a place in regionals. 

“My goal is to grab a spot to go to regionals individually,” Rogers said. “I will have to run my best race ever to get that spot. I think the team has a good chance of making it if we all run a good race. I am looking forward to the competition and being able to see where I place.”

The boy’s team had two runners continue on to regionals and the girls had one advance. On Oct. 21, they competed in regionals. None of them advanced to state, but they all had good races. Sophomore Jacqueline Hernandez-Flores set a new personal record. 

“It felt amazing to make it into regionals,” Rogers said. “The competition at sectionals was very good, and I knew I had to compete very well to move on. I feel like I did great at regionals. The competition was tough, and I didn’t end up advancing, but I am proud of my performance”