By Katherine Camberg

Cross country season is just starting to pick up pace. Our high school runners have already had multiple meets. Team captain Genevieve Gaylor has hopes that “all of our runners will be able to get personal records this season, that we will unlock a passion for running in our new members, and both our teams will be able to qualify for the state meet this year.” With hard work, these hopes could become a reality.

New members help to build the team, while returning team members are continuing to have great times. At the first meet alone, seven runners had their personal best times. Our girls team won their dual meet on Sept. 6, and the boys team is placing much higher at meets than last year. Our team has also done well at a dual meet, and an invitational this season, with many personal bests. The girls team won their dual meet and placed third at the invitational.

Hard work from runners over the summer has definitely paid off. The runners will have to keep up the hard work in order to qualify for state at the sectional meet on Oct. 28.

Cross country may sound rigorous, but the team does have its fair share of fun. On Fridays they play Frisbee, and have also enjoyed post-practice pizza and pancakes.

Our junior high cross country team has also had a lot of fun this season. They had fun volunteering at a race, and also have a race planned where they will all be wearing tutus. The junior high team is also working very hard this season and according to coach Granville they have a large team this year, with many runners showing a lot of potential. He hopes “that everyone pushes themselves to be the best they can be. That’s different for each person, what that means in the way of time. Times aren’t really important to me. Pushing yourself to the edge of your ability is what is important to me.”

Coach Granville’s sentiments are shared by the cross country team. It doesn’t matter if you are the fastest, as long as you are working hard. That’s what is important.