The men’s and women’s cross country teams wrapped up their seasons, finishing third and first respectively in the DC-VI conference championships, with the girls placing tenth in the state championships on November 2.
Freshmen Lily O’Brien and Sadie Mersereau placed first and second in the women’s conference championship with times of 19:25.29 and 19:29.74 on October 16. Senior Chloe Solum and sophomore Sarah Nemerovski placed in the top ten at the meet running times of 21:01.28 and 21:07.63 respectively.
The women’s team also placed second in the 40th annual Greensboro Invitational meet hosted on September 28, and the men placed 13th at the Great American XC Festival on October 5.
Both teams advanced to the NCHSAA 4A Midwest Regionals on October 26, with the women placing second and the men placing tenth. O’Brien and Mersereau ran personal bests, running the fourth and fifth fastest times in school history. O’Brien finished the 5,000-meter race in 18:13.60, while Mersereau clocked a time of 18:23.98.
Freshman Baxter Caress placed third in the men’s conference championship with a time of 16:43.36, while junior Jackson Ruff and sophomore Cole Dutton both placed in the top ten.
Senior runner Gavin Crawford noted that Dutton performed “extremely well” this season as he recovered from a stress fracture at the beginning of the school year.
Dutton was sad to have to take time off due to an injury but was able to make a steady comeback throughout the season. “As the season went on, I would continue to regain some fitness lost over the time of injury, running another best at our next race, placing 12th at the conference meet and finishing off my season placing 41st at regionals and knocking another 27 seconds off my PR,” Dutton said.
The men’s team lost ten runners from last season, leading the runners to focus on building a cohesive team dynamic.
“Coming into the season, we knew this would be a hard year and more of a [team] building year,” Crawford said. “However, the team progressed, and we had numerous people with large personal records that will benefit the team next year.”
The women’s team placed tenth in the state championship meet in Kernersville on November 2. Runners O’Brien, Mersereau, sophomores Sarah Nemerovski and Savannah Benson, junior Charlotte Hallquist and seniors Chloe Solum and Kate Hinson-Hume ran in the meet. O’Brien and Mersereau placed 17th and 18th respectively.
Hallquist reflected on reaching the state meet during her first season with the team. “States was a little bit intimidating, but it was super fun,” Hallquist said. “We weren’t thinking about states in the beginning of the season, but as time went on, it seemed more achievable. I’m really proud of the team.”
O’Brien noted that practices and team bonding moments brought her success throughout the season. “I think that the team has had a great season, and it’s been really fun training with the team,” O’Brien said. “I got to know a lot of people and everyone is really nice. My favorite moments have to be pasta party antics or the color wars.”
Mersereau echoed her teammate’s sentiment. “The season [was] great, and it’s been so fun to be a part of the girls team!” Merseraeu said. “I love the team activities that we have done and how close we have become over the last couple months.”
Senior runner Kate Hinson-Hume noted that many of the team’s standout runners are young, preparing the Tigers for future success. “We have a very young team this year, with almost everyone in our varsity top ten being first- or second-year runners,” Hinson-Hume said.
Senior Hannah Dellon praised the work that both runners and coaches have put in this season. “My season has been more managing than running—but I’ve had the really special privilege of watching my teammates improve and struggle and see times that reflect their work,” Dellon said. “I’ve gotten to work closely with the amazing coaches and see how much work they put in behind the scenes to give the team the resources they need to thrive.”
Hinson-Hume shared that she is looking forward to an exciting future for the team. “I am excited to see how the team does during track season and in the coming years,” Hinson-Hume said.
