This fall boys and girls Cross Country had a season that showed great heart. We had some impressive runners emerge for our team that wow’d crowds week after week, as well as months-long growth and showings of perseverance from runners that have wow’d me personally and Coach Michaels as well. Boys and Girls Cross Country should be incredibly proud of themselves, they worked hard this fall in a sport that will accept nothing less. 

The team ran in ten different meets, representing Marianapolis finely throughout the fall. This started with the Nobles’ Fun Run Charity race in early September and wrapped up way up in Augusta, Maine with the Division IV NEPSAC Championship. Of our two home meets, one was our annual Invitational, where we hosted 13 teams on our beautiful course and were awarded second place. In this race, our Golden Knights beat out some very impressive competitors to take the silver and produce a strong showing on our home course.

Zach Stoddard and Rachel Ullstrom were two captains who led the team in both athletic prowess and running discipline. They are true marvels of leading by example. Ian Mackenzie and Kailey Russo were our other two, equally crucial captains. They led from the heart of the pack, which is equally important. They inspired their team members in incredible ways as well as kept things focused in more difficult moments. Miriam Martinez de la Herran was a first year runner who exploded onto the scene and led by example in ways as well. These athletes were rounded out by a team of formidable individuals who have shown the capacity to push themselves in astounding ways, time after time, to make themselves faster and better at something collectively, as a team. 

Despite the inundations of injuries and obstacles that befell some of our runners as the season progressed, they still showed an incredible amount of heart and determination and all participated beautifully in the New Englands championship race. You should all be very proud of yourselves for a job well done!