As the running season comes to a close, many members of the girls cross country team dread the end. Starting in the summer and lasting through the fall, the team has spent countless hours training and working together towards becoming stronger runners. This time creates lasting bonds and many memories. Hailey Housbeck, a team captain, says cross country is “my second family”. Another captain, Zoe Brown, says, “This XC season has been a great one for our girls team! We have made lots of consistent progress race to race, as well as in comparison with previous years. I have loved every moment we have spent together in practices and on racecourses, and spending time with the team is always the highlight of my day – even if it’s while doing a hard workout. I am always inspired by the girls on the team to run faster, train harder, and be a better person. We always bring intensity and excitement to everything we do, and together we create an amazing community of good people.” 

During the Oiler Blue and Gold Invite, the varsity team’s average time became lower than it has been in the past 3 years (21:53). In the next meet, the Saginaw Valley League XC Championships, the average time of the entire team (varsity and junior varsity) dipped to 22:51, the lowest it has been in the past 3 years. The girls team’s coach, Josh Hicks, says he thinks the addition of more strength training with the use of the weight room 2-3 times a week during the summer has been one of the main factors in the faster times. The last regular season meet is on October 25, at the MHSAA Regional meet in Shepherd.