RUNNING as
1 By Sarah Maniscalo, Photography Editor
“O
ur team atmosphere is unlike any other,” varsity runner Kiersten Hill, senior, said. “No matter the talent, we support everyone. Everyone works hard and puts their best foot forward.” The girls cross country team strives to treat each other as equals, on and off the trail. They help to create a supportive environment for each other, varsity runner Taylor Osterling, senior, said. “Instead of competing against one another, everyone builds each other up and is working towards a common goal,” Osterling said. The team practices five days a week to improve their running times and build their endurance. With the addition of a Saturday meet, the team spends hours together throughout the season. All the time togeth-
10 Sports
er is what helps to build their inner-team amazing personality,” Perez said. “She works relationships, Nyla Hall-Feldhaus, senior, so hard and she never gives up. She is an said. example for everyone.” “We try to stay positive and encouraging Prioritizing a supportive atmosphere is when we know a hard workout is coming always a goal for the team, said Hill. The up, but we also are there to validate each positivity of all the runners is what makes other’s feelings of frustration,” Hall-Feldthe team “strong in every way.” haus said. “Cross country is a hard sport One challenge the team faced this season both mentally and physically, and to know were injuries. Several players were unable to that your teammates are there for you, feelpractice and compete due to stress fractures ing the same feelings, is so reassuring.” and other injuries. Osterling, who was in a Part of the close-knit environment boot for two weeks due to tendinitis, said comes from the activities that the team that it was really difficult “wanting to race does together. To prepare for their Saturday and not being able to” and “not knowing meets, the team dedicates each Friday night when it will get better.” to a team pasta dinner. They also have Being surrounded by her teammates was bonfires, scavenger hunts, team breakfasts, “so uplifting” and helped to “boost mentaliand movies. Hill’s favorite memories come ty,” Osterling said. from the team’s annual summer camp trip Additionally, the season can be “mento McCormick Creek. tally draining” Hall-Feldhaus said but she “We share many laughs, tears, and stories finds positivity in her teammates who have while we are there,” Hill said. “It’s truly the “pushed” her to be her best. best time making memories that will last a The team finished their pre-conference lifetime.” season with a first place at the Harrison Aside from the whole-group bonding Invite on Sept. 4, fifth place at the Eagle activities, the team also has a buddy system Classic on Sept. 11, seventh at the Riverview of “sisters,” akin to the relationship of bigs Health Invite on Sept. 18 and sixth at the and littles in collegiate sororities. With the HCC Invite on Sept. 25. A team of varsity exception of new upperclassmen additions, runners competed at the sectional on Oct. seniors are placed with freshmen and ju9 and are looking ahead to the postseason niors with sophomores. competitions. “Having sisters makes the relationships No matter the end results, what sets this on our team stronger by opening up opporteam apart from others, according to Hill, tunities to meet new people that we may not is their focus on teamwork and growth, be close with otherwise,” Kyla Stalbaum, not competition. Instead of competing as junior, said. “It also brings the opportunity individual runners, they compete for their to connect to each other on a deeper level team and teammates. with the aspect of mentoring younger team “Our team motto for this year is ‘run as members and helping them through any one,’” Hill said. “I’d say we definitely live type of problems they may have whether it’s by that.” running related or not.” The sister Junior Abby Vestal shows off her muscles to her laughing teammates groups spend at their practice on Sept. 30. photo by Elizabeth Rexing time together outside of school and practices. Stalbaum and her little sister, Sonia Perez, junior, often get brunch together. “[Kyla] has been such a good role model to follow because of her encouragement, strength and an
