Cross Country Runners Finish Better than Expected

While it’s impossible to predict how the cross country team will finish at next year’s state championship, this year both teams finished better than expected.

Many new faces are expected to take the varsity spotlight next year, considering a majority of state placers were seniors.

They will lose state-qualifying seniors Zach Morgan, KJ Hirschi, Colby Ertwine, Matt Hogan, Shealyn Brooks and Courtney Bailey.

This year, the varsity boys placed third and the varsity girls placed fourth at state.

The varsity boys were led by Morgan and Hirschi, who sprinted their way to a third and seventh place, respectively. Junior Troyce Grant and sophomore Clarissa Beck, representing the varsity girls, bolted through the course, cutting into the top ten.

Cambridge was the only school to have both girls and boys place in the top ten.

“We came into this race knowing what we had to do and executed it as planned. It was absolutely incredible,” said Morgan.

Seniors — knowing that this would be the last race of their high school careers — said they worked harder than ever at the meet.

“Our team has been relentless all season, constantly pushing each other to our limits,” said Morgan. “I’m so thankful to have such an awesome family alongside me these past four years, and I am so proud to be a part of this program.”

A video taken by a runner’s parents showed JV team members giving out bright smiles and loud cheers, as they watched their varsity teammates from the sidelines at the state meet.

“Everyone gave their everything in this race. I think it was more mentally tough than physically,” said freshman varsity runner Leah Capomaccio.

Capomaccio, who also runs on the JV squad, finished fourth in that team’s race.

“I was nervous because there was a lot of pressure for the girls to place, but mostly excited because I knew we had been working towards it the whole season and we were ready for it,” said Capomaccio.”

For many, cross-country has been a social and emotional experience.

“Right as I finished, I started tearing up knowing that XC [cross-country] season was over, and it felt like a huge weight being lifted off my shoulders because we had worked so hard to get this far, and it was finally over,” said junior Chloe Paskins.