On Friday Sept. 20 the cross country team traveled to California to compete in the Woodbridge regional meet, a major event held in Irvine. The three day tip gave athletes the chance to race in a new environment and strengthen their bond as a team.
Senior Jace Williams described the trip as one of the most enjoyable events of the season, when asked about the trip Williams said “we left on the Friday right before fall break” he said. “It was about a six-hour trip, and we stopped for food on the way. When we got there we ran the course beforehand, stayed the night and played a bunch of games as a team. It was really fun”. The meet took place on Saturday, and everyone on the team was very successful in their races. “Pretty sure everybody got a PR (personal record)”, Williams said, “It was because of the elevation – it felt different but it helped”.
Senior Ava Withem also reflected on how the day went. “We chilled at the hotel all day and got mentally ready for the race”. Withem said she was very proud of her improvement. “It was a big personal best for me”, she said. “I even improved my placement from last year. I got eighth”.
Coach Gurecki praised the team’s effort and attitude throughout the trip. “Overall, the team did outstanding”, he said. “Lots of athletes achieved personal bests, and those individual performances lead to strong team finishes on both sides. For most of the kids, this trip is one of the highlights of their season”.
When asked for running advice, the athletes shared what helps them stay motivated. Williams said, “when you’re in a race, just keep pushing and try to get to the next object before you collapse”. Whitem added her own insight: “Trust the process and enjoy your time doing it,” she said. Coach Gurecki agreed that both effort and enjoyment are the key to success. “When runners support each other and focus on their goals, they always perform better”, he said.
For the cross country team the California meet was more than just a race, it was a chance to grow, support one another, and enjoy doing what they love.
