On August 25, Cross Country took its first win against 10 other teams at the opening meet in Elmwood Park.

Senior Michalina Szelazek said, “Our first meet was amazing! Girls’ varsity got first place at the Elmwood Park Invite! We received a plaque that will be placed with our other school awards!” As captain, Szelazek knows that commitment is what earned the team that plaque.

Estephania Ramirez, Senior at West Leyden said, “The varsity girls have been racking up mileage since the summer. The top runners do some workout with the boys, and we run longer than most. In all, we keep a positive attitude about our workouts and our meet and we believe in each other more than we believe in ourselves. We have a strong bond and that’s what helps us do so good in meets.” Being positive and having good sportsmanship is the way all the girls keep each other striving for their best times and good achievements.

Vanessa Gallegos, junior at East Leyden said, “We do intensive workouts and long runs throughout the six days a week that we practice. Staying hydrated and getting proper nutrition throughout the day is what gets us the energy to push our bodies in meets.” Not only does stay positive to each other help them win meets but also eating well and staying in shape is what helps them as runners.

Ariana Cardenas, Senior at East Leyden said, “The team prepared obviously by practice, but by mentally preparing ourselves as well. Motivating each other the night before a meet is always necessary to guarantee a healthy mindset before a race.” Despite the girls having a nervous mindset, they support each other as a time when it’s their turn to run.

The team has been preparing for this season since early June. They had summer camp that lasted six weeks long from 6:00 to 8:00 in the morning Monday-Thursday. This group of committed girls remet starting the second day of school and have been training ever since during daily practices and Saturday practices as well. They support each other all the time and continually grow closer each day. With all the commitment the girls have put into the summer and beginning of season it gave them the result of winning their first meet at Elmwood Park High School against different schools.

The Cross Country team still has many more accomplishments to meet. The girls planned a surprise party for Coach Schader’s on Wednesday Sept. 2. September 21 is the first home invite at the home course  (Grant Park by West Leyden) and our Eagle Invite is the same week on Saturday 26.