The boys and girls cross country teams ran at Highland High School on Sept. 28. The boys placed third overall at the meet. However the girls cross country placed fifth overall with a score of 130 points.
“I think we could have done better, but overall I think we all ran well and did okay,” Madison Poortenga (11) said.
After his team placed third, Kris Garner (12) unofficially broke the school record as the fastest cross country runner.
“I technically broke the school record but since the course was short, I didn’t go the full distance and my score couldn’t count as a school record. That kind of sucked,” Garner said.
Ben Perschon (11) also placed as a Top Junior Finisher and 5th overall during the run.
“You really just have to run everyday. Off days are okay once in a while because you’re not going to lose much on an off day, but you can’t have them consistently,” Perschon said.
From these results, the girls are working harder in order to place higher than fifth for their next meet.
“I think we can improve by being more prepared, getting enough rest and eating better the week of the run,” Poortenga said.
Because of the demanding nature of cross country, some runners felt sick after they ran.
“I felt nauseous, but cross country is really a pain tolerance,” Perschon (11) said.
Some have strategies in order to help with their nausea when running and after the race.
“Luckily I don’t throw up, but what I usually do is not to chug my water or eat a bunch of food before the race,” Garner said.
