Cross Country sprints to the top

Written By:
Ebony Turner

Published:
Oct. 09 2009

Family day has passed and the cross country teams most turbulent run of the season, the Bull Run Invitational served as one of their biggest hurdles to overcome.

            Junior captain Willy Wise placed 29th against competition from over 50 schools all over the state of Maryland earning him a spot in the top 30 and a ribbon.

            “It is one of the hardest courses in the state so it felt good to earn that reward,” Wise said. “Everyone performed really well.”

            Even though they still have the particulars to keep up with, team bonding and jelling together both on and off the track have been coming along well. Leading the squad this season as captains are Wise, seniors Peter Barnhard, Emma Barnhard, Kevin Mok, Andrew Deen and Jessica Townson.

            “Our main goal is to go to states and do well in long runs and in our appearance in counties and regionals,” Emma Barnhard said.

            This season’s meets prove to be tumultuous, with one of the most famous courses in the country, the Bull Run Invitational. The Blue Devils ran against over 100 teams in ten races. With a tough invitational held in such high regard, it would seem nerve wracking for the team, but the Devils held strong and the coaches and captains reinforced encouragement.

            “Before games I always tell the girls to run your own race because when you concentrate too much on someone else you aren’t focused,” Emma Barnhard said.

            The Einstein Family Day run on September 30 hosted by the Blue Devils was a great way for the players and their families and friends to not only see the hard work they have put into this season, but to get to know the coaches and the art of cross country. It was especially nice for the family to be present since the girls won the meet and improved on running in a pack.

            “On long runs we’re usually spread out so it helps that we run in packs and stick together,” Emma Barnhard said.

            Talking about each game and working hard at practice are the methods the coaches use to not only keep the players active and on top of their game and timed runs, but to keep them striving to get better.

            “We try to tell everyone to cheer each other on during the races which helps out a lot in keeping everyone focused,” Wise said.

            The season has not been all losses and no wins for the Devils. With the Einstein Family Day run, and the high expectations for an appearance in states this season, these last weeks left in the season will prove to be trying for the Blue Devils.