After a tremendous victory last season, the St. Joe Cross Country team is returning to the spotlight, and they aren’t planning on stopping their record there. The team has already been practicing hard for State, which takes place on November 9th. With a state title under their belt and a banner in the gym, the team is more ready than ever to create more history in St. Joe Cross Country.
Starting strong, the team took their skills to the first meet of the season at Arnold City Park a short while ago on Wednesday, September 4th. Although the meet was only a two-mile race, the team came out strong with several high places: on JV, senior Claire Bucher finished in seventh place with a time of 14:24, freshman Grace Freeman finished in ninth place with a time of 14:31, and sophomore Lucy Griffin finished seventeenth at 14:48. On varsity, junior Savannah Amann finished second with a time of 11:45, sophomore Lucy Rines finished sixth with a time of 12:16, and junior Riley Villicana finished twenty-fifth at 12:55.
Senior Sadie Neff and the rest of the team are pleased with the race results.
“It was such a fun way to start off the season!” Sadie said.
Continuing this happiness, the team has set a theme for the season of “everyone matters.” No matter what team she’s on or what pace she runs, the girls on the team all support each other. Everyone on the team watches everyone else run, yelling and cheering them on as they pass by. No accomplishment goes unnoticed, no matter how small. Regardless of the size, a new personal record is celebrated, and everyone motivates their teammates during demanding reps at practice. The team’s bond holds them together and encourages them to do their best. The state title won last year—and the one they are pushing for this season—all came down to the sisterhood they’ve created each day.
Additionally, a new addition to the team—Mrs. McIntire—will help the cross-country team push their season even further. As the newly appointed assistant coach for the team, Mrs. McIntire will help with the Angels’ practices, meets, and coaching during the season. The new addition to the team pairs with the new start to the 2024 season.
The team, including senior Caeleigh Edmiston, is eager for Mrs. McIntire to join them.
“I’m so excited for Mrs. McIntire to join the team. She did a great job when she coached Incarnate, and I know she’ll do the same for us,” she said.
Overall, the cross-country team is excited to begin their new season. They hope to write more history and further the community of Angels they’ve fostered in past seasons with Mrs. McIntire’s help as their assistant coach. Though the sport is not always in the spotlight, they foster the same energy in each practice, whether it be bonding in the car on the way to practice, cheering each other on on the sidelines, or lifting one another in the rough times; the team’s love for each other is what makes it a great community. Though you may not know it, St. Joe’s cross-country team is picking up the pace, and no one can stop them.
