Varsity cross country: Cowboys get outdistanced at regionals

BY KAYLA GATES

After a long season of intense training and competition, the CCHS cross country team finally achieved its goal: qualifying for regionals. With runners setting new records over the course of the season, a select few had the opportunity to showcase their skills at the region four championships.

In order to attend regionals, the Cowboys had to qualify at the Broward County Championships. This meet was held on October 11 at Markham Park in Sunrise, where the team competed against schools across the district. After placing at the tournament, the boys varsity team was able to move on to the next stage; one girl was also able to compete at regionals independently.

The region four championships took place on Thursday, November 1, from 4 p.m. until sunset. The team traveled to Larry and Penny Thompson Park in Miami. There, the Cowboys had the opportunity to compete against schools from all over Florida’s fourth region. This included high schools from Miami-Dade County, such as North Miami, South Dade, Coral Gables and more.

“The meet didn’t exactly go the way we had hoped,” sophomore Jacai Pitts said.

Representing CCHS was the boys varsity team. The runners each participated in the usual three-mile race, finishing with times between 20 and 25 minutes. Many players achieved their personal bests at the meet. However, the team’s overall score was not high enough to rank.

“The meet didn’t exactly go the way we had hoped,” sophomore Jacai Pitts said. “But many players PR’d [achieved a personal record], which was good for us.”

Also participating was freshman Claire Delacoste. As the only Lady Cowboy representative from CCHS, Delacoste competed as an individual. Although Delacoste did not place either, she was satisfied with everything she and her team had accomplished at the meet and throughout the season.

“I am proud of how hard the team worked to make it to regionals,” Delacoste said. “I am looking forward to doing this again next year.”

Overall, the team was satisfied with their times individually but failed to top the intense competition. The Cowboys ran alongside some of the best runners in South Florida. And while many players were able to achieve their personal bests, these records did not exceed their opponents’ scores. Neither the boys team nor Delacoste were able to place or qualify for the next round.

“We didn’t win, but it was a very good experience.”

The Cross Country State Championships will be held Saturday, November 10 in Tallahassee for those who qualified. And while CCHS will not be attending, the team seems proud to have gone so far. Despite placing last at the tournament, the players recognize qualifying for regionals as a major achievement.

“It was a very good accomplishment for the boys team and [Delacoste] to qualify for regionals,” coach Scott Sodergren said. “We didn’t win, but it was a very good experience.”

With the team being unable to appear at the state tournament, the region four championships will have been the final cross country competition this school year. Although CCHS will not continue on, the progress made and records set will still be celebrated. The Cowboys will close out the season with their heads held high.

Photo by Abbie Tuschman