XC Archives • St. Luke's School

Wildcat Cross Country 2024

Armahni Coleman — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 16:26:51 +0000

Wildcat XC.

R
unning might seem like a burden for some, but for the Cross Country team, it’s a treasure. Through early mornings and hot afternoons, they push through and run countless miles in order to reach their goals. Led by their coach and one of St. Luke’s beloved history teachers, Coach Russell, the team truly represents what St. Luke’s is all about. His amazing leadership allows the team to understand and reach their full potential.This season they have worked vigorously to reach the point where they are today. Starting in the summer, they began not only preparing for the upcoming season but also creating the bonds that would help this 2024 team become successful. This year the girls team has the honor of being led by sophomore Sophie Dolbear and the boys, junior Rishi Gupta.

Since the beginning, this team has had such great potential. As they are entering an important meet at Jesse Owens this weekend, they are able to go into it with their recent success at Daphne, where the boys impressively placed 8th out of 23 teams, beating huge schools like Spanish Fort and Davidson, along with the girls who secured 12th place out of 18 teams. When hearing from the captains they stated that the collective goal this year is to clinch the division title at the state championship. “We have the tools and coaching in place to do it , and we most definitely have the work ethic.”, Rishi Gupta stated. Next season, they will not be losing any runners, which bodes well for the strength in their team.

I had the opportunity to hear from one of the captains for this season about what he thinks about the season so far and what’s to come. When asked about how it feels to lead the team this year, Rishi stated "Honestly, this is such a great team, and being captain feels a lot like last year—except now I can actually give out punishments! But in all seriousness, it’s been really enjoyable to plan bonding events and to share leadership with Sophie for such an incredible group, both boys and girls.” It sounds like this team has truly made the connections that would help them be successful.

The Cross Country team at St. Luke’s Episcopal School represents a close-knit group of friends who are all about supporting one another through every challenge and triumph. They’ve shared countless practices, pushed each other to improve, and celebrated personal bests together. With each race, they’ve built not just athletic skills but also lifelong memories and friendships. As they gear up for another season, it’s clear that this team is more than just about running; it’s about growth, teamwork, and the bonds that will carry them beyond the finish line. They represent our school well, so let’s all gather and support them throughout their season!

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St. Luke’s Seniors Sign To Collegiate Athletics

Kelly Choi — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 21:15:33 +0000

St. Luke's Senior Athletic Signing Day.

I
t’s true! One of the most exciting moments for a student-athlete is deciding where to take their talents to the next level. Years of hard work have led to this moment, and it’s time to celebrate our athletes’ important decisions. St. Luke’s celebrated our first three senior signings on February 6, 2023: Haley Patterson, Andrew Burchett, and Taylor Jackson (more signings are coming soon!).

Haley Patterson

Kennesaw State University Volleyball

Haley Patterson will be playing volleyball at Kennesaw State University. She decided to attend KSU because she really liked the campus, and the coaches and team were very welcoming and nice.

St. Luke’s Varsity Volleyball helped prepare Haley for the next level by teaching her about hard work and discipline. Her teammates would likely describe her as even-keeled, driven, responsible, and funny. One of her strengths is that she doesn’t let things get to her while on the court, like missing a hit or shanking a ball. Haley has learned a great deal about teamwork over the years: no matter how hard you try, you can’t do it all on your own.

Outside of sports, Haley loves going to the beach, going out on the boat, shopping for clothes, and hanging out with friends. In 5 years, she hopes to have a good job.

Andrew Burchett

Emory University Track and Field

Andrew Burchett will be running track and field at Emory University. He decided to attend Emory because he wanted to go somewhere with amazing academics that also had a running program that would allow him to continue to improve for the next four years. He also felt like he fit into their program, unlike any of the other schools he toured.

St. Luke’s helped mold Andrew to become a better leader. He says, "At bigger schools where people don't know each other as well, leaders are typically distinguished solely by their ability." However, at St. Luke's, your respect is earned on other merits as well, such as accountability and dedication. As a new teammate at St. Luke’s, he had to quickly learn how to earn the trust and respect of others and says, "As a new teammate, I found out quickly that simply being good at my sport wasn't enough to gain their respect. I had to earn it each and every day. That meant working hard at practice, handling little things such as the warm-up with precision and respect, showing up to team events and functions, and supporting my other teammates even when I may not have done my best." His teammates would agree that he expects the best from them, and that Andrew will support and respect anyone who puts in the effort.

Andrew has enjoyed watching the running community at St. Luke’s grow in such a short time and says, "When I first got on campus, the team was proud of making it to state. Now, winning is expected, and, as a result, the program has gained interest from others who may not have given track and field a shot."

He admits that he possesses various gifts that give him an advantage when running: longer Achilles tendons and narrow hips make his strides more efficient, and long legs give him a longer stride length. But his greatest strength is his obsession with running. He says, "Many people are motivated for a short period of time, while others are disciplined and are able to continue even when it gets hard. However, obsession is different. Whereas those who are motivated or disciplined are motivated to work, obsession makes work seem like second nature; the alternative is too absurd to think about. I constantly ask myself what I can do to be just a little bit better. Once I figure that part out, I obsess over the minutiae of how I get there. For me, doing something well or winning a race isn't enough. I work until failure simply isn't possible."

When he isn't running, Andrew enjoys hobbies that allow him to constantly improve and compete.He loves going to speech and debate tournaments and noticing his improvement in public speaking. He’s a huge fan of cooking and learning new recipes. Each time he cooks, it’s an opportunity to try new things while becoming comfortable with what is familiar. Last but not least, Andrew enjoys lifting because it improves his track ability, but it's also a great way for him to build self-confidence and challenge himself physically in ways other than track.

5 years from now, Andrew wants to still be working just as hard and hopes to go to law school.

Taylor Jackson

Spring Hill College Cross Country/Track and Field

Taylor Jackson will run track and cross-country at Spring Hill College. She chose Spring Hill because it felt like home to her even during her first campus tour in 9th grade. The size of the school really stood out to her because she knows the importance of that one-on-one relationship with teachers and coaches. Also, being close to home while also getting to experience college by living on campus made the decision easy.

Taylor only started her running career two years ago, but the lack of time pushed her to work even harder. When she started, she never imagined having the chance to run in college, but the stars aligned, and the program seems like the perfect fit for her. Coach Russell was exactly what she needed to get her running career off to a good start. She appreciates that he has always been patient with her and Charlie Anne but pushed them to adapt quickly and expected success. Coach Jones's experience and positivity have helped Taylor on her hardest days.

The St. Luke’s running community has been more than Taylor ever dreamed of, creating the most amazing friendships in just two short years. Taylor says, "The St. Luke’s Cross Country and Track program accepted me and my inexperience from the very beginning. I was allowed to develop my love of running without any judgment. While practices and races continue to be challenging and require extreme toughness, I have learned from the program to respect that challenge and turn it into something I love." The shared experience of running brings Taylor so much joy.

While running is something that she is fairly new to, Taylor believes that, as a captain and runner, her teammates would say that she brings all of her efforts and drive every single day and that she’s passionate and committed. She says, "I do not see running as something that I do once a day and forget about it. Running is a part of my lifestyle, and it is something I put lots of thought into and appreciate. I realize how much effort and mental toughness are required to get better, and I am not afraid of giving it all that I have."

Even though runners race for their own personal bests, Taylor realizes that teamwork is vital to performance. She says, "The runs don't seem as brutal when you are sharing the experience with your team. Besides the best memories, I hope that I will leave my team with just one thing: I hope I’ve shown them that there is no place I’d rather be than running with each of them."

In 5 years, Taylor hopes to be one step closer to med school—and still running, always running!

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Charlie Anne Runs Toward Success

Connie Jackson — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 16:21:25 +0000

Charlie Anne Wins Larry Hall Memorial Award.

A
fter wrapping up her senior cross country season, Charlie Anne Phillips received an award that is near and dear to her heart. She was awarded the Larry Hall Memorial Award at the All-County Banquet. The Larry Hall Memorial Award (for girls) and the Charlie Spencer Memorial Award (for boys) are awarded to runners based on leadership, scholastics, and stellar representation of the running community, school and team.

But what makes this award even more special? Charlie Spencer, Charlie Anne’s uncle & namesake, was also a beloved member of the running community. He joined the Auburn cross country team after transferring from Bevill State. Spencer was a member of the 2000 Bevill State National Champion cross country team and the 1998 Murphy High School 6A State Champion cross country team. While home for Thanksgiving break 2002, Charlie passed away while on a run with his three dogs. In order to keep his memory alive, Charlie Anne was named after him and was destined to have the same love for running.

During her time as a Wildcat, Charlie Anne cheered for 4-years and started running her sophomore year. She always knew she wanted to run, but felt like she didn’t have friends to do it with until she was convinced by Mohammed Shahrouj (Class of 2022) to put on her favorite running shoes (Saucony) and run for St. Luke’s. She hasn’t stopped running since.

With so many miles on her shoes, Charlie Anne has found that running is also a stress reliever. She always has the desire to run even on cold, early mornings. It doesn’t hurt that she has a strong running support network made up of her team and family. She contributes a lot of her success to being a part of a team composed of the most supportive and encouraging people. Her parents are also some of her biggest supporters as they never miss a race!

What’s next for Charlie Anne? Charlie Anne is looking forward to indoor track season and then outdoor track season. She is still keeping her options open for possibly running in college.

Charlie Anne has been an incredible captain of the cross country team helping lead the way to St. Luke’s first ever state championship for running.

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Le Signs with BSC for Cross Country and Track

Hannah Uptigrove — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 13:10:04 +0000

More Than An Athlete.

St. Luke's: What college will you be going to?
Andrew Le: Birmingham-Southern College

SL: How and why did you decide to go there?
AL: I decided to go to Birmingham-Southern College after being offered a spot on their team and a welcoming visit around the track facilities and the campus.

SL: What sport will be you playing/participating in?
AL: Cross Country and Indoor/Outdoor Track

SL: How did St. Luke’s help to prepare you to participate at the next level?
AL: St. Luke’s prepared me by providing the teachers' and coaches' that supported and encouraged me.

SL: Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of sports?
AL: Theatre, Running, Hiking, Spending time with friends.

SL: How would your high school coaches and teammates describe you?
AL: My coaches and teammates would describe me as a team player, supportive, loyal and determined.

SL: Which strengths do you believe you have that make you a great athlete?
AL: Time management, commitment, hard-working, supportive.

SL: What have you learned about teamwork from your past experiences on your teams at St. Luke’s?
AL: Working together as a team builds great morale for everyone because it helps me strive to become a better athlete with everyone's love and support.

SL: What do you look for in a great coach?
AL: I think a great coach is someone who is supportive, goal-orientated, observant and a clear communicator.

Thanks Andrew! We look forward to cheering you on this fall!

Check out even more about St. Luke's Cross Country teams and Wildcat Athletics!

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Dolbear, Jackson Win Age Division in Big Beach Half Marathon

Hannah Uptigrove — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 15:27:00 +0000

More Than Athletes.

S
ophomore Garrett Dolbear and junior Taylor Jackson recently competed in the Big Beach Half Marathon, each placing first their age divisions. Garrett also placed 4th in the entire half marathon. We spoke with both of them to get some behind the scenes information on what it takes to train as elite athletes while still in high school.

Interview with Garrett Dolbear

Hannah Uptigrove for St. Luke's: Why did you start running?
Garrett Dolbear: I started in 3rd grade because it was the first year I could run cross country and track. I have run since I was really little because my dad had gotten into running, so it really has always been in my life.

HU: What made you want to participate in the Big Beach Marathon 2022?
GD: I heard about the half because the XC girls had mentioned they wanted to do it. It kind of snowballed as an event because more and more people started talking about doing it and I guess I kind of got stuck in that snowball.

HU: Before the ½ marathon, what was the longest distance you ran?
GD: My farthest distance prior to the half was 10 miles.

HU: Tell us what you did to train/prepare for the ½ marathon:
GD: I really didn't do any training at all. I had done a 10-miler a week before to see what pace I wanted to run for the actual race, but other than that nothing really.

HU: How long does it take to train/prepare for a 1/2 marathon?
GD: It really depends on the condition you are in when you start your training and the difficulty of your training regimen. I say when starting from zero one would probably need about 12 to 16 weeks to fully prepare.

HU: How did you stay motivated when you were training?
GD: When I need the motivation to train for any event I think about the goals I have set. I also really enjoy running so it is not too hard for me to find the motivation.

HU: How do you motivate yourself to run on the days that you don’t want to, do you even have days like that?
GD: I usually always want to run, but on occasion, I need to think about my opponents and I know they aren't just sitting up on the couch.

HU: What would be a “newbie” runner tip you would give someone?
GD: I would tell a "newbie" runner that it is going to be hard in the beginning and that you just have to push through. Running is such a great sport and it will bring you closer to other people and yourself.

HU: Do you wish you would have done anything differently as far as training or running the ½ marathon, itself?
GD: I hit the time I wanted to beat for this half (coach Russell's personal record), so I wouldn't have changed anything about what I did this time. Typically I would like to start training for an event several weeks before.

HU: Do you prefer running with a pacer or doing your own thing?
GD: I prefer running with a pacer, I am not good at holding my own pace. I either end up going too fast or too slow. It also gives me a chance to talk to someone that is most likely better than me.

HU: What did you do post-marathon?
GD: After the marathon my watch had not registered 13 miles yet so I ran a few circles in the parking lot. After that, the team went to the beach for a little while and I went to collect my award. We then all went out to eat, but everyone was super tired and wanted to go home. We ate quickly and all headed home.

HU: Who is in your running support network?
GD: My main running support network is my parents, but my team and Coach Russell help out a lot.

HU: Tell us about your worst running experience.
GD: I almost got attacked by a dog one time.

HU: What do you NOT like about running?
GD: I like pretty much everything about running. One of the things I don't like is running by myself.

Thanks Garrett! We can't wait to cheer you on this track season!

Interview with Taylor Jackson

Hannah Uptigrove for St. Luke's: Why did you start running?
Taylor Jackson: I have always loved running, but never had the time to fully commit to running as a sport. I mainly picked up running exactly one year ago. I joined the track team to get in shape for soccer, but didn't fall in love with running until cross country season this past summer.

HU: What made you want to participate in the Big Beach Marathon 2022?
TJ: I decided to sign up for the half marathon in October, as a postseason activity, after we competed in the Cross Country State Championship in November. Zac Haataja (Class of 2021) made a tradition for senior runners to run a marathon so I figured I should train for a ½ marathon before I try to tackle a full marathon my senior year.

HU: Was this your first ½ marathon?
TJ: Yes. In fact, I had never raced any distance over a 5k (3.1 miles).

HU: Before the ½ marathon, what was the longest distance you ran?
TJ: Before training, the longest distance I had ever run was a 6-mile long run during practice at the University of South Alabama’s Bike Trails.

HU: Tell us what you did to train/prepare for the ½ marathon:
TJ: We were not used to running a concrete long run so the first thing we did was transition from soft trails to full-time concrete running. We would meet on weekends and during breaks to practice increasing our mileage threshold. We started training at a 10-minute average pace for long runs, but then I decided to push a little harder and started training with someone faster than me so that I could increase my average pace. My goal for the race was sub-two hours, which is a 9:09 average split for 13.1 miles. However, I ended training in the 8’s for the last few runs.

HU: How long does it take to train/prepare for a 1/2 marathon?
TJ: We trained from the end of November of 2021 until January 2022.

HU: How did you stay motivated when you were training?
TJ: I easily found the motivation to keep training as I realized that I actually enjoy longer mileage compared to short distances. My motivation remained because my running group would always meet up at new locations and run in all types of weather, which made training feel refreshing.

HU: How do you motivate yourself to run on the days that you don’t want to, do you even have days like that?
TJ: I think it is impossible to have motivation everyday, but I always knew pushing past a mile that felt hard would result in it being easier the next time. The more you push past the pain, the more successful you will be. All of the little successes add up!

HU: What would be a “newbie” runner tip you would give someone?
TJ: With me not being able to run a 5k this time last year, I can confidently say that the only way to start is just going for it and pushing through the pain. I recommend finding a group of runners that want you to succeed and will push and motivate you. The first obstacle is just showing up and pushing yourself and it will get easier from there.

HU: Do you wish you would have done anything differently as far as training or running the ½ marathon, itself?
TJ: I reached my goal, sub-two, so honestly I wouldn't change anything for my first ½ marathon. My training relieved a lot of stress and I always looked forward to my runs.

HU: Do you prefer running with a pacer or doing your own thing?
TJ: During the cross country season, I relied heavily on Anna Marie Bentley to help motivate me during races. For the ½ marathon, I ran with some friends (Andrew, Alex and Mo) that are faster than me to help me start with a good pace and then I finished the last 5 kilometers alone.

HU: What did you do post-marathon?
TJ: Post-Marathon was pretty grueling on my body because that was 5k more than I had ever ran (I only ran 10-miles for training). We took a lot of photos on the beach and went out to eat.

HU: Who is in your running support network?
TJ: I have the BEST supportive network. My cross country team is the most supportive and loving group of people I have ever met. Last year, Coach Russell, and my teammates, allowed me to walk onto the team brand new. I would not be running right now if it wasn't for the happiness I feel when being with that group of people. Once I pushed past all of the times that I wanted to stop, I found something that makes me happier than anything I have ever done in my life.

HU: Tell us about your worst running experience.
TJ: My favorite story to tell is one that actually ended up being my favorite week of the year, Brevard Distance Running Camp in North Carolina. Last summer, while attending Brevard Distance Running Camp, I had the biggest reality check of my life. Since I was a new runner, I cried every single day during the runs. It was the most challenging and intense thing I have ever done due to the altitude and hiking over 60-miles in 5-days. On the very first day, I was running up a mountain in Pisgah National Forest and face-planted sliding down the moss-covered stairs. I was covered in dirt and realized it was about to be a long week!

HU: What do you NOT like about running?
TJ: For me, running has gotten to the point where it is my favorite part of my daily routine. I don’t have anything bad to say about running other than it does wear and tear on your body. Injuries are very common for overworking and over usage to areas like the hips and knees. If it wasn't for the injuries, I would run all day!

Thanks Taylor! We're so glad you're a Wildcat runner!

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Senior Spotlight: Cross Country

Connie Jackson — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 15:17:59 +0000

XC Seniors.

Andrew Le

Andrew Le is a captain of the St. Luke’s Cross Country team and has been a member of the team for the past 5 years. Andrew discovered his passion for running in middle school after he had a sudden realization that he enjoyed running the mile in PE class, therefore, he decided to join the cross country team and hasn’t stopped running since! Andrew says he loves being a part of the cross country team because his teammates are loving, supportive, and caring. He also enjoys the team dinners, which give him and his teammates a chance to get to know each other even better. Where there is unity, there is victory! Andrew says the best part about competing is the adrenaline rush he gets before running as well as meeting runners from other schools. Andrew makes practice fun by listening to music during warm-ups. He says his favorite song to listen to pre-meet is "Passenger" by Noah Kahan. Andrew says, as a captain, he tries to make every practice and meet fun for his teammates. He also always makes an effort to bond with all of his teammates as well as support and cheer them on. When asked about team traditions Andrew states, “My favorite tradition that we have on this team is the "writing on the legs. We have to pick a word that goes with "Wildcats" that describes yourself and the team.” Andrew uses “Wildcats Commit” to as inspiration to never give up. Andrew says that Coach Russell is his all-time favorite coach that he’s ever had. There were many times that he wanted to give up on a workout, but Coach Russell encouraged him to push hard and finish strong! He feels certain that if it weren’t for Coach Russle, he wouldn't be as strong and fast as he is now. Andrew appreciates that Coach always has a positive attitude no matter the situation and he inspires Andrew to work harder and encourages him to be more optimistic and for that….Andrew is forever thankful. As a personal goal for cross country, Andrew wants to make sure he always pushes himself to do his personal best and never puts a limit on his ability. He feels certain that cross country has even made him a better student. St. Luke’s has instilled such a love for the sport in Andrew that he wouldn’t mind pursuing his passion for running even after graduation. Never give up, Andrew! We are proud of the many footprints you have left at SLES and know you are running towards greatness!

Anna Marie Bentley

Senior, Anna Marie Bentley is a long-timer at St. Luke’s. She has attended St. Luke’s since preschool and has been on the cross country team since 8th grade and is a team captain this year. Anna Marie not only succeeds on the trails, but also in the classroom. She has been awarded the Scholar Athlete Award for the past three years. This Wildcat knows that great accomplishments require great sacrifice. Anna Marie says she likes being on the cross country team because it helps prepare for tennis and because she has made many lasting and wonderful memories that she will never forget. One of her favorite cross country team traditions is when the team writes inspirational phrases on the back of their calves at State. For example, some runners have written “Wildcats Finish,” “Wildcats Endure” and “Wildcats Succeed.” The body achieves what the mind believes! After cross country season, Anna Marie is looking forward to running into her final tennis season as a Wildcat (did we mention she’s a State Champ?) Although Anna Marie is not sure where she wants to attend college yet, we are confident that this is one Wildcat that will rise and roar no matter where she ends up. We’re proud you are ours, Anna Marie!

Mohammed Shahrouj

Senior, Mohammed Shahrouj, has attended St. Luke’s since 8th Grade and this is his second year on the cross country team. Although Mohammed has not been here as long as some of our other seniors, his huge impact at St. Luke’s is here to last! Mohammed likes being on the cross country team because he said it feels like a family. The cross country team is not a team because they run together everyday, they are a team because they truly care about one another. Having a team that has this level of unification gives the runners a sense of safety because everyone can be free to be themselves without worrying about others. The cross country team also does a lot of team-bonding outside of practice. This past summer, some members of the cross country team went to a running camp in Brevard, North Carolina. Mo states “it was one of the best experiences I have ever had and it was with the BEST team!” They met many other teams across the country and even ran up to 20 miles a day! Mo won’t stop running at the end of cross country season. He will run right into track season before graduating with the Class of 2022. He knows to never rest until your good is better and your better is best! Always run as one, work as a team, and finish as a family! Mohammed, we will be there to cheer for you during your senior season. Never stop running towards all of your goals!

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