Cross country wrapped up yet another successful season at the 50th annual Maryland 3A state championship meet on Nov. 8. The final meet at Hereford High School, featured strong performances from both the girls’ and boys’ teams with senior Nathan Downie medaling and freshman Eleanor Finnegan finishing as state runner-up.
After finishing the 2024 season as Maryland 3A state champions, the team lost pivotal seniors including captains Rendon Yerman, Edward Sun, David See, Maggie Hennessy, Annie Sun, Ellis Eppard, Sebastian Thomas, Eva Veizis, Emma Yuan and Cayla Schwartz. However with a strong class of freshmen and head coach Kellie Redmond’s continued dedication, the team was able to maintain their high standard with the girls’ team finishing as 3A West Region champions and the boys’ side achieving a third place regional finish.
Both performances earned the teams a shot to compete in the state championship, where the boys finished seventh overall and the girls placed fourth, with a second place individual finish from Finnegan. “Winning the state runner up title felt amazing. I was able to have my whole family there for it and it was the best ending for a great season. It is a super hard course and I’m definitely proud of myself especially since I was going up against many upperclassmen,” Finnegan said.
Throughout the season cross country has been putting in work with weekly practice schedules consisting of one-two challenging workouts and daily speed work, stretching and hip/strength training. “The hard practice days are the best ones because of the satisfaction I feel when I’m finished and knowing I’m that much faster because of it,” senior captain and four-year runner Owen Berman said.
With tired legs, nagging injuries and eight total meets, cross country’s team support kept them motivated going into the postseason. “The team community is probably the most important aspect of our success. Everyone has made a commitment to the team and it really shows during meets, when everyone who has finished racing cheers on their friends in a different race. We have a lot of team energy and always work hard for each other,” Berman said.
The season also marked the first time in cross country program history that the post-season team featured six freshmen: Jackson Bailey, Morgan Braniff, Eve Browne, Olivia Dickerson, Brandon Min and Finnegan. “I’m so thankful I got to experience the postseason with my two closest friends, I could not have asked for better people to be on the team,” Finnegan said.
While the cross country season is coming to a close, athletes will continue to put in work throughout the offseason, training on their own or competing with this school’s track and field team. Winter indoor track and field tryouts start Thursday, Nov.15. “After cross country I will run indoor track and field in the winter to stay in shape,” junior runner Chaitan Parveen said.
The cross country team celebrates with their coaches after a strong performance at the 3A west region championship meet on Oct. 30. “My favorite part of being on the team is the ability to work hard and improve my times gradually so I can help the team perform at big meets,” Berman said.
