For the average person, walking up hills is no easy task, and maybe even trekking up the atrium stairs at our school leaves you winded. If you are one of those people, then the idea of running across four hills during a timed race seems like an impossible feat. However, this obstacle didn’t stop our Cross Country team during the state race, which not only included several hills but also creek crossings. This year, the girls team secured multiple victories at Cross Country States, coming out with top tier times and a new class of record breaking runners.
Cross Country is not for the weak; the sport involves rigorous running and training to prepare for the intense five kilometer races. All this training builds up to the highly anticipated state meet at the end of the season. This past November, Oatlands Plantation in Loudoun County hosted the Virginia High School League Class 6 State Cross Country meet with 38 teams in attendance.
After wrapping up an amazing season, our school’s Girls Cross Country team finished with many runners in top positions during the state meet. Most notably, sophomore Molly Hardwick placed second in the race with a time of 18:19.90. In the last couple of meters, Hardwick passed the number two spot after an intense battle to maintain a top position. Hardwick, among others, represents a new class of talented runners on the team.
“It was extremely painful but definitely rewarding finish. It went very fast, but it was a good race overall,” Hardwick said.
Along with Hardwick, many other girls had incredible times, securing spots in the top 100. Junior Ali Mathews finished 21st in the race, and sophomore Ayla Mehmood, not far behind, finished 32nd. Seniors Claire McArdle and Hannah Hawkins came in 67th and 83rd place, respectively.
The key to success? Some point to the special dedication the team has, but others stand by their superstitions with pre-meet rituals. Freshman Aria Hedderly typically does a mini shake out, a standard performance she’s done for the past couple of years. Sophomore Cecilia Floom, who finished 55th in the race, has a different tradition.
“I always triple-knot my shoes,” Floom said.
Another unique feature of the team is the bond they’ve grown this past season throughout the training and races. The girls are bonded by sharing a common goal of pushing themselves to be better, a momentum that carries many throughout the season. It’s no secret that Cross Country can be mentally and physically taxing and keeping community alongside you during the running is a major component in future success.
“I thought I was going to be all alone since most of the seniors left, but this team is the reason I didn’t quit,” McArdle stated.
For many, Cross Country States reflected the hard work they had been putting in even before the season started. The training for the sport requires consistency in regards to running, stretching and waking up early. Runners must maintain self discipline in order to build strength and stamina, something that the team displayed during the race.
“As a team, doing really well in districts and regions and seeing all that hard work pay off is really fun,” Hardwick said.
One thing is for certain: running brings out qualities that many of us admire, such as dedication and community. This team has many exciting seasons to come, and the state race stands as a great testimony to their hard work and future success.
