Although the school year was pushed back, that did not stop the cross country team from getting an early head start to their season. Cross country has had a lack of participation for a few years now, however that has not stopped those who have been participating for years. This year, the team is led again by Ms. Miranda Santa and Ms. Ashley Spencer, while also having two returning runners from last year’s season.
Last cross country season the team showed a lot of improvement. Setting goals and breaking personal records (PR’s) was something each runner strived to do. In order to continue to grow as runners, the team continued to practice through the end of the season. After taking a break, the team was back at it in July to start preparingfor this season. The team met at different locations such as Brush Creek Park, Brady’s Run Park, Walter Panic Park as well as the school for conditioning. Practices consisted of running and various leg workouts.
Although participation has not always been high, there have been many students who choose to return each year. Runner James Couch and Hannah Shaffer are returning from last year. This season Noah Chaousy has returned after taking a year break. New to the team this year is sophomore Tiernan Simons.
“I joined cross country because I thought it would be fun and I don’t like doing actual sports, and I like running.” Simons said.
So far this season the runners have participated in a scrimmage at South Side on Aug. 21. Although this meet was just a scrimmage, Couch took first place for boys varsity. The team competed in the Beaver Open scrimmage meet on Aug. 22, at this meet Couch took second place. Sept. 5, was a hot one, with the high that day over 90 degress Fahrenheit the team traveled to West Allegheny. Allof the runners pushed through the heat and completed the course. Despite the heat, Couch took first place yet again. On Sept. 9, the team traveled to White Oak Park to compete in the Red White and Blue invitational, which is the same course where WPIALs will be held. Running with 179 other runners, Couch placed 5th with a time of 17:04. This time was 20 seconds less than last season. Chaousy and Shaffer also ran with the times 20:47 and 31:24 respectively.
The team participated in their first rainy meet of the season on Sept. 12, running against Mohawk and Beaver Falls. Along with rain, the course was also very flat and not as long as other courses. Due to this, the runners showed a lot of PR’s during this meet. Simons finishing 24:13, Chaousy finished at 18:07 and Shaffer finished at 26:28. All of the runners pushed through the rain for the meet.
“I plan to go to states and place in the top 15, I am mostly looking forward to the ride up to states,” Couch said.
As the season continues the team is hopeful to continue to break their own records and grow as runners. The season has just begun and there is much time to improve and continue to have fun with the sport.
“I am really excited to see how our runners improve over this season, these are a couple first times for quite a few of our kids actually, so its nice to see where they start and where they end as they learn how to run the races and of course I am ready to see [Couch] take top 10 at states,” Santa said.