After a slow start to the season, the Wakefield Cross Country team has picked up the pace in the second half of the season.
The Arlington County Championship was the highlight of the season for the team, as it resulted in numerous top-15 finishes and medal winners. Additionally, both the girls and boys teams finished in a close third, just losing out to Washington-Liberty for second. AJ Jordan (‘26) led the girls team with a massive PR, running 19:20, and 4th place finish, as Eulalia Sarli (‘26) ran a season’s best time of 19:43 to place 11th. On the boys side, there were four top 15 finishes, the most from Wakefield in recent history. Led by me, Andrew Coe (‘26) who ran 16:27 and a PR which placed me 7th, Daniel Herring (‘26), Kai Simkiss (‘27), and Ian Maguire (‘26), all ran PR’s and finished 9th,10th, and 11th. A pack-running masterclass from the top four boys.
The Liberty District Championship did not go as hoped, but there were still some positives. Personal bests for Ian Maguire, London Anderson (‘27), and Jack Guy (‘27), were highlights for the boys team, while, Purvi Oberkirsch (‘28), Roxanne Carnahan (‘29), and Amelia Young (‘28) had personal bests on the girls side. However, the ultimate highlight from the District Championship meet was Daniel Herring and I placed in the top 15 and qualified for Regionals! I ran 16:30 and placed 10th while Herring ran 16:41 and placed 13th.
It is disappointing the team could not qualify for the Regional Championship meet after doing so last year, but I still am proud of the work the whole team has done this entire season. We’ve had our ups and downs but everyone still gave it their all when it mattered and did the very best we could. I’ve been training since June, giving it my all everyday, and I’m thrilled with my progression and ability to perform when it mattered the most.
Daniel Herring, who qualified for his first ever Regionals as an individual said that, “Last year, when the team made Regionals, I felt like I depended on the team more, but compared to this year, advancing as an individual made me realize how much harder it is and how much harder you have to work.” Herring and I ran the race practically together, going back and forth until finally, we made our last moves to earnour place in the top 15, and make it to Regionals. I was so glad to have Danny with me. There were so many times I wanted to give up because the race got brutally hard, but having my teammate there to motivate me and follow his moves greatly helped me dig deep, mentally and physically.
The Regional Championship meet is on Wednesday, October 29th at Burke Lake Park. Let’s Go, Wakefield!