The cross country team, both girls and boys, have progressed much this season, taking home many top finishes at their meets. The girls team has been getting second place overall at almost every meet, along with a second place at conference. The girls running this season include Bri Hexum, Lola Olson, Lydia Bergschnieder, Maria Halberg, Harper Sheehan, Julianna Lawrence, Cece Toshner, Hailey Waystedt, Greta Maki, and Cynthia Hart. The girls team continues to get better and better as the season goes on.
Lydia Bergschnieder, a senior, has been on the cross country team since middle school, but has been running long distances since the third grade! She will definitely miss being a part of this close group of girls. When she graduates, she hopes to continue running (maybe college track) and said she would, “…like to get into half and full marathons and maybe even an Ironman one day.” Bri Hexum, another senior, just joined the cross country team this year. She has been on the track team for years, so decided to give long distances a try! She will miss praying with the girls before each meet and, “getting to cheer everyone on and seeing them accomplish their goals. Also, the bus rides home.”
On the boys side of things they have been dominating the conference. They have an almost undefeated record this season, and a real chance of going to state as a team. They also have back to back conference championship accolades. The boys team consists of Evan McConnell, Ben Laird, Jack McCallum, Austin Ewert, Christian Larson, Bradyn Keller, Danny Paquin, Bradley Young, Brenden Young, Freddy Principe, Memphis DeMain, Braden Young, McKayl Taylor, Josiah Throrne, Devonte Quagon, and Gus Gregory.
Evan McConnell, a consistent top-finisher, said it’s been a good season with a lot of success. Evan, a senior who has medaled in every race of the season, has been a role model this year, leading the team to victories. When asked what he’ll miss most about cross country, he said, “Competing and racing because that’s really all I look forward to.” After this season is over, he’s excited to try and break some more records during his final track season. Ben Laird and Bradley Young, also seniors, are excited to finish off their season with some big results before jumping into track season. Ben, who is no stranger to the podium, said that his favorite cross country memory was, “When Evan and I made the Roy Griak podium, being the first Hayward boys to do this.” Bradley is just finishing his first season on the team, and he said he’ll miss playing basketball before team meals and “…the chocolate milk provided for us after our races and practices.”
