Running as One

By Sarah Maniscalo, Photography Editor

“Our 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 together is what helps to build their inner-team relationships, Nyla Hall-Feldhaus, senior, said. “We try to stay positive and encouraging when we know a hard workout is coming up, but we also are there to validate each other’s feelings of frustration,” Hall-Feldhaus said. “Cross country is a hard sport both mentally and physically, and to know that your teammates are there for you, feeling the same feelings, is so reassuring.” Part of the close-knit environment comes from the activities that the team does together. To prepare for their Saturday meets, the team dedicates each Friday night to a team pasta dinner. They also have bonfires, scavenger hunts, team breakfasts, and movies. Hill’s favorite memories come from the team’s annual summer camp trip to McCormick Creek. “We share many laughs, tears, and stories while we are there,” Hill said. “It’s truly the best time making memories that will last a lifetime.” Aside from the whole-group bonding activities, the team also has a buddy system of “sisters,” akin to the relationship of bigs and littles in collegiate sororities. With the exception of new upperclassmen additions, seniors are placed with freshmen and juniors with sophomores. “Having sisters makes the relationships on our team stronger by opening up opportunities to meet new people that we may not be close with otherwise,” Kyla Stalbaum, junior, said. “It also brings the opportunity to connect to each other on a deeper level with the aspect of mentoring younger team members and helping them through any type of problems they may have whether it’s running related or not.” The sister groups spend 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 amazing personality,” Perez said. “She works so hard and she never gives up. She is an example for everyone.” Prioritizing a supportive atmosphere is always a goal for the team, said Hill. The positivity of all the runners is what makes the team “strong in every way.” One challenge the team faced this season were injuries. Several players were unable to practice and compete due to stress fractures and other injuries. Osterling, who was in a boot for two weeks due to tendinitis, said that it was really difficult “wanting to race and not being able to” and “not knowing when it will get better.” Being surrounded by her teammates was “so uplifting” and helped to “boost mentality,” Osterling said. Additionally, the season can be “mentally draining” Hall-Feldhaus said but she finds positivity in her teammates who have “pushed” her to be her best. The team finished their pre-conference season with a first place at the Harrison Invite on Sept. 4, fifth place at the Eagle Classic on Sept. 11, seventh at the Riverview Health Invite on Sept. 18 and sixth at the HCC Invite on Sept. 25. A team of varsity runners competed at the sectional on Oct. 9 and are looking ahead to the postseason competitions. No matter the end results, what sets this team apart from others, according to Hill, is their focus on teamwork and growth, not competition. Instead of competing as individual runners, they compete for their team and teammates. “Our team motto for this year is ‘run as one,’” Hill said. “I’d say we definitely live by that.”