XC TEAM

This year’s Cross Country team went through a lot this year, and it paid off. Cross Country started back in the summer, training with Coach Joey. Coach Joey taught the runners the technique but said the mentally has to come from them. Northland on the boys and girls side have young teams, and they did a great job building off last year’s performance!

The runners worked hard throughout the season having to wake up at 5 in the morning for training. Districts was coming up and both teams were working hard to have a great showing. The boys had many runners missing, but the girls had a real chance of winning. Faith Forte, Kris Canales and Sophie Hornaback both finished in the top 10 of district. Danielle Danso, Grace McCathran and Claire Hummel with strong finishes to be part of that 5. The girls won district beating out Incarnate Word in the end. For the boys, once again Grant Rogers finished first and was Individual District Champion. 

During State, there was a great energy in the air, the team chemistry felt very high. The team took a 3 hour drive to Waco, and they were locked in. The girls fresh off winning District were ready to have a great showing. It was a hot day in Waco, abnormal as the past couple of years it was chilly. The girls ran first and they felt the heat, it was one of the toughest races of the season. The girls had a great race and they ran hard despite the conditions. The boys felt the same way, as it was extremely hot and humid. Many of the runners like Grant Rodges and Isaac Banos collapsed as soon as they hit the finish line. They had put their all into it. Grant Rodges ended up finishing 3rd in State, and it was a great achievement. 

Throughout this XC season, the runners put their all into it. Their bodies took a toll, but they pushed through the pain. This is a young team and to build on this year and improve.