Wildcat XC.
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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!
