With summer coming to a close and the school year beginning, the start of fall sports is just around the corner. After a successful last season, the girls cross country team is now looking forward to winning their league.
Along with winning races, the cross country team fosters strong friendships and connections between its athletes.
“I’m looking forward to having a great season with all my teammates,” senior Naomi Lazarus said. “I really love the team and I feel like everyone on the girls’ and boys’ team is one big family and I think that’s what is really special about cross country.”
Before practice actually starts, the cross country team gathers by the field and prepares for the run ahead of them.
”Usually we all hang out for a bit and eat something before we run and then we warm up and do a warm up jog,” freshman Kathleen Lambe said. “Then we cool down and stretch, then we do SAM which is strength and mobility.”
Practices occur Monday through Friday, and are around two hours. On Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, the team goes on 5-6 mile runs, and on Tuesday and Thursday they work on their speed and train to become faster.
“We come out and depending on the day we run different stuff just getting prepared for the season,” coach Steven White said. “It’s important to note how the cross country practice schedule is tailored to the
runners, focusing on what is needed to build up for races and any other events throughout the season.”
Race days are always filled with immense excitement and usually nervousness as well. Whether it’s pumping their teammates up for the race or celebrating a victory, the entire team has a strong sense of camaraderie that follows them wherever
they go.
“My favorite part about races is like after you finish, the last 400 meters and you’re sprinting and you’re so close that you see the finish line,”
sophomore Saoirse Boehm said.
After placing an impressive third place in the last CIF Finals, the team is now aiming to work their way up the podium and win this year’s CIF tournament.
“I’m very excited for the girls this season, excited for the boys too but the girls especially,” White said. “Girls will be strong and we should win league. I think they’ll be in contention to win CIF and I 100% believe they can be in contention to win a state championship as well.”
Come support the girls team at their first game on Aug. 30 at the Cool Breeze Invite in Pomona. Upcoming races and cross country events can be found here.
