By Jessie Lang ’18, Contributor
The Cincinnati Country Day boys’ and girls’ varsity cross country teams recently concluded a great 2015 season with the OHSAA Regional Championships. The season was full of outstanding performances, amazing achievements, and close bonds. Boys’ varsity team scores included 4th place in the Seven Hills Invitational and 5th place in the MVC Championships. Girls’ varsity team scores included 2nd place in the Seven Hills Invitational and 4th place in the MVC Championships. Both teams ran strong in the Cincinnati Country Day School Invitational (3rd place), Goshen Invitational (2nd place), and the District Championships (3rd place), securing spots in the Regional Championships.
This year, the cross country team had thirty-five runners–the most in Country Day history–and each member performed wonderfully. Charlie Sachs ’17, a Junior Cross Country Captain , achieved an incredible time of 19:00 in districts and 18:40 in Regionals. Grace Pettengill ’17, another Junior Cross Country Captain, had an excellent performance of 20:43 in districts, finishing in 2nd place overall, and a strong run of 22:40 in the Seven Hills Invitational. Lorae Stojanovic ’18 had a key performance in the Seven Hills Invitational, finishing with a 23:48 as one of the top 15 runners.
Many freshmen joined the team this year, proving their skill in the meets. Alec Hamall ’19 was among the top 10 runners in the Seven Hills Invitational, speeding past the finish line with a time of 18:56 . After battling an injury early in the season, Hamall emerged as one of the team’s fastest runners. Nick Cordea ’19 sped through the course at districts with an impressive 19:10. Fellow freshman Andy Osborn ’19 shredded the Troy course at Regionals with a time of 18:29. On the girls’ side, Emma Langhammer ’19 achieved a magnificent 24:27 time at Districts.
Senior cross country runners were Max Luebbers, Nathan Albrinck, Jonah Ice, Sidd Jejurikar, Cooper Ebersbach, Cameron Stewart, and David Yang ’16. They all had terrific performances throughout the year. Luebbers, a captain, added a third successful season to his belt, including runs of 18:47 at Districts and 18:33 at Regionals . He also achieved a personal record time at the Cincinnati Country Day School Invitational, breaking 18 minutes for the first time in his career. Albrinck blazed through the course at districts with a time of 19:26, and accomplished a 19:36 time at Regionals. Ice – always with the best hairstyles – finished the district meet with a time of 21:11, and the Regionals with a much faster 20:05. The seniors gave it their all, adding the 2015 season to their victorious cross country careers.
Coaches Merle Black and Catherine Phillips shaped the strong team with their great coaching. Coach Black always pushed the team to their personal bests and made sure giving up wasn’t an option. Coach Phillips was encouraging and nurturing, making the team feel like they could accomplish anything. (She also designed the awesome sweatshirts.) The superb coaches made the team stronger and the season unforgettable.
This cross country season was not only a time of PRs and great accomplishments, but also of fun, spirit, and lasting friendships. At meets, the Country Day team cheered loudly and confidently . It was exhilarating to experience the team’s camaraderie. At practice, teammates laughed and had fun while enjoying free runs around campus or team runs to Meadowgrove or the Ranger Station . There were also many gatherings throughout the season, including an IHOP brunch and celebratory sandwich stop in Troy, following Regionals. When asked about the season, Anna Geohegan ’17 said, “I thought it went really well! We had a big team this year, but the team still managed to feel close-knit and supportive, which was amazing. The support of other team members, combined with great coaching, made a productive and fun season, and I’m proud of everybody who decided to run this year.”
The cross country team’s 2015 season was exciting, successful, and a whole lot of fun. Thanks to those who came out and supported our historic 2015 season.
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