Cross Country Heads to State

The school’s cross country teams are both on their way to win some silverware at the upcoming state championship, where they will be joined by some of the best teams in the state.  

The varsity and junior varsity boys teams were each victorious in three races over the course of the season. Although the junior varsity season ended after the region race, the varsity boys’ wins allow them to run in the state championship on Nov. 4.

“So far we have done an awesome job and are going to state,” said Head Cross Country Coach Brad Coulter.

In order to qualify for state, the boys’ varsity team had to among the top four teams out of the nine in the 7-AAAAAA region. Cambridge is currently in second place.

It’s not only the boys who are doing well. So far, the girls have won several races, such as the West Orange Invitational and the Covered Bridge Run.

The girls’ varsity team also needed to be in the top four to qualify for state. They barely squeezed their way into state by coming in fourth place.

The team has very high hopes coming into the state championship after the boys’ varsity and junior varsity teams placed second in the region race. The girls’ varsity and junior varsity teams left the race with bragging rights and a first place trophy.

Not only is the team dominating meets now; it’s also looking good for the next few years. They have several skilled underclassmen athletes who can build a foundation for the upcoming seasons.

Great runners such as junior Jack Filan and sophomore Josh Gargan have set new school records.

Gargan set the record for the fastest 3,000-meter time set at 11:23.90. Filan set the record for the fastest 5,000-meter run set at 15:26.40.

“I think that the team is extremely talented and will keep improving under Coach Coulter, ” said senior Zach Ellison, who has been on the team since his freshman year.

The runners are confident in saying the team strives to get better every day and is improving drastically, and their hard work has shown in their performances.

“The work is harder than anything I’ve ever done in my life, but that challenge had pushed me to achieve the other aspects of my life,” said junior Kate Tweedy, who has also been running for the entirety of her high school career.

Tweedy also said the team creates a friendly environment, and kind atmosphere for all the athletes and coaches.

“As a freshman coming from a minority middle school, I was expecting to have a difficult time making friends. I was so wrong. These people are my best friends, and I couldn’t have wished for a better group of kids to run with,” Tweedy said.

Freshman Colby Jones also said the team consists of supportive teammates and excellent coaches, especially for those who are new to the school or the sport.

“I enjoy cross country a lot because we are like one big family. We support each other no matter what,” said Jones.