Hey everyone!
I would like to start off by saying congrats to everyone who competed this past weekend at States! There were some crazy fast times and very impressive performances. Watching others compete and actually competing made the weekend so fun and so "thrilling" (super lame Halloween pun).
This years state meet was very successful. It was an absolutely beautiful day--a perfect day for a run. The hills were a bit intimidating going into it, especially since I had such a rough time with the course my freshman year, but this year, I loved it! My view on Twin Brook has changed dramatically from freshman year to junior year. It went from being my least favorite, to one of my favorites. It was a bit painful, but very rewarding. Cleary, my teammates were feeling pretty great, too, because they blew me away with their performances. Our top five girls came in 1, 2, 3, 9, and 11, and our other two girls ran exceptionally well. These performances allowed us to be State Champions! Our boys team also ran so well, and ended the season as State Runners-Up to a very talented GSA squad. As a team, we celebrated by shouting out the bus windows as we rode threw Orono with our police escort, and then all headed to a teammates house for a party that included food, Just Dance, manhunt, and more food.
Sadly, after all of the fun, our spirits were crushed when we learned about the heartbreaking death of Payton Sullivan, a cross country runner and student at Waynflete. Our entire team would like to send our condolences to her family, friends, and the Waynflete community.
On another note, I cannot believe the cross country season is winding down. It seems as if just yesterday was the first day of preseason. Although I'm sad its almost over, I'm looking forward to New England's at Thetford Academy in Vermont, even though I've been told, several times, that its like climbing up a mountain. With all the hill work we've done this season, I think we'll be ready for what that course has to offer. I'm hoping to finish off the 2015 season strong and I'm ready to see what I can do there, with all those hills. But overall, I'm especially excited to have another memorable weekend with my team.
This cross country season has been full of ups and downs. Some races didn't go exactly the way I wanted. Some races did go exactly the way I wanted. And some races even exceeded what I wanted. Regardless of how each race went, I can truly say I've had one of the greatest cross country seasons of my life, and I owe that all to my coaches and teammates.
The season isn't completely over for me yet, but I still have so much to take away from it. Now, as oppose to the beginning of the season, I am way more mentally tough, I have gained a lot of speed in my legs, I have bettered my nutrition by cleaning out my diet, I've grown in leadership, and I have learned even more about the aspect of a TEAM. I could not be more thankful for the group of girls I've had the privilege of practicing and competing with throughout these past three years, and I still have one left--how exciting!
I am really looking forward to next season--senior year. I already have some big goals set, and I know I am going to have to work my tail off in the off-season in order to reach them (something I've also learned from this season). But before I jump the gun and get too excited for what 2016 has in store, I have to focus on now. So, let's see what you have in store, New England's!
One final congratulations to all of you on a great 2015 season! For those of you going to New England's…Work hard these last couple of weeks and good luck! I can't wait to see all of y'all there.
Thetford, here we come!
- Hannah
