Cross Country: Season Outlook

圣. 路加福音’s Cross Country team is excited for another season and hopes to have fun under the tutelage of returning head coach, Corliss Spencer.

 

Spencer enters her 15th year at the helm and is supported by assistant coach Graham Foster Jacob Hughes. 

 

Kathleen Coffey ’24, Will Drapkin ’24, and Alan Carver ’24 are team captains. Spencer expects her senior class to help guide all the other runners. “I am looking for the three captains to set the tone during workouts and races and really lead by example,”她说。. “They have been great so far so. We just need them to keep bringing the energy.”

 

Preseason presented some challenges with extremely hot and humid weather, but Spencer insists her team handled the tough conditions well. “Preseason has been really fun,”她说。. “We added lots of variations to our training runs and despite some weather challenges, the group has been awesome. We have run a lot at Waveny Park, so we are hoping the practice there will serve us well for the Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA) tournament race towards the end of the season.”

 

The team participated in its first race of the year on Saturday, Sept. 9 at the Wilton Invitational. On another hot and humid day, Charlie Fitch ’28 finished second in his age group running the 1.5 mile course in 8:22. 

 

Spencer is excited to see what he can achieve as well as a number of others from the squad. “Charlie had a great race and we are looking forward to seeing what he can do in better conditions. Alden McWhorter also had a great race. Kathleen, Annabel Drapkin ’26, and Hanna Zable ’26 stood out for their dedication to the team. They also give maximum effort and always want to do more! Will and Brody Ebright ’26 do an excellent job keeping the team engaged and happy on the long, hot runs we have had the past couple of weeks.”

 

The team had its first FAA race on Wednesday, Sept. 20 at Sherwood Island Park with the second FAA race at Brunswick School on Thursday, Oct. 5. Spencer wants to use the first few races to see where her runners are performing. “I want everyone to race with confidence and encourage one another,”她说。.” Each run or race is a learning opportunity and we will use the first few races to see how the training is going and how we are developing as a team.”

 

The team’s goal is to be in the best possible position for the FAA Championships on Monday, Oct. 30. And Spencer is confident her group will be in great shape. “Everything we are doing is to make sure we are prepared for the championship race. We want to be at our best for the FAA's and I know this group will continue to work hard to make sure we are!”