The cross country team poses for a photo after a 2025 meet. Photo courtesy of Frankie Sheppard Olen.
The cross country team is using a mix of big goals and younger runners’ growth to fuel another trip to the state championship meet.
Last year, the women’s team finished seventh in the state in the 7A division and returns four of its top seven finishers: senior Izzy Halpern, juniors Anastasia Willis and Baylis Healy and sophomore Alana Gray.
The men’s team finished sixth and returns six of its top runners, including senior Cole Sease, juniors Zachary Abrams Garret and Ivan Kaiser Potter and sophomores Ayyub El-Genk, Mason Riggs and Charlie Kruse.
Of the 56 runners listed on the roster, just seven are seniors. But according to El-Genk, roster changes are always a major factor for the team.
“Seniors leave every year, and freshmen come in, which gives us new talent,” El-Genk said. “I think we’ve got a good shot. We’re faster this year.”
Sophomore Charlie Kruse noted that individual times often drop a lot between freshman and sophomore years as runners get used to harder workouts.
“There are new people always coming,” Kruse said. “A lot of people get faster. Last year, I ran a 17:23 5k, and all of that can change in sophomore year.”
Runners shared a mix of Individual goals.
“[My goal is] just go faster,” sophomore Jonahan Smith said. Maybe get an 8-minute mile.”
El-Genk shared specific targets for the rest of the season,
“My goal is to go sub 15:15, and for the team, I want to place at states,” he said.
Outside of practice and meets, the runners stick to a few key team traditions, like pre-meet hangouts before practice.
”[My favorite is ] probably pasta dinners,” said El-Genk.
“The locker room is pretty fun,” Smith added.
Staying on pace during races and workouts depends a lot on running together and supporting each other. Smith said his way of helping teammates is simple,
“I just yell, ‘Keep going!’” he said.
El-Genk focuses on keeping people motivated.
“I pick them up if one gets down, like, ‘You look like you should improve’” Ayubb said.
During hard race segments, Smith explained that running alongside teammates helps maintain momentum.
“You get tired pretty easily sometimes,” Smith said. “You just keep going, cause you have people next to you running that are better than you, so you run.”
The team races tonight at “Friday Night Lights” in Kernersville, NC.
