Green Hope Cross Country

So while the official cross country season has been over for 3 weeks or more for the Falcons, 25 runners decided to continue training through the Nike Cross Regional Meet on November 27^th at Wake Med Soccer Park.  Conditions for this race are always very cold and this year would be no different.  While skies were clear at least, the temperature for the first race of the day was around 32 degrees. 

5 freshmen and 1 sophomore boy were excited to start things off.  This was the first true season of competing for the group and they had slowly improved throughout the year.  They were anxious to see where they were.  The field for each race was slightly smaller due to the impact of Covid, but the boys went after it and a couple set new career PRs.  The team was led by freshman Logan Blake (PR of 19:28). 

The 2^nd race of the day for Green Hope (running as the Western Cary Track Club) was the Girls Open race.  Only 5 girls entered the race, but they fought right from the start and were in the mix for the team title.  While none of the girls set career PRs they battled through the tough conditions and were led by senior Katie Foppiano’s 9^thplace finish (20:10) and Grace Boughton (15^th, 20:23).  The girls finished in 2^nd place—only1pt behind the team champs! 

The 3^rd race of the day was the Boys Open Race.  The boys hoped to be in the mix for the team title, but they knew the field was very deep.  They were led by sophomore Sebastian Percival-Shim with a huge PR of 16:54.7 and he was followed closely by junior Andrew Vo (16:55.2).  The other scoring runners were sophomore Dax Mahone (17:35.4), senior Nathan Herrick (PR 17:58.6), and sophomore Tommy Dunn (PR 18:22.7).  The boys finished in 5^th place, only 18pts out of the runner-up spot. 

The final race with GH runners was the Boys Championship Race at 10:40.  While due to Covid the top 2 teams would not move on to the national championship the field of teams racing was very strong and included southeastern traditional powers Hoover, Loudoun Valley, Marietta, Severna Park, Walt Whitman, Blacksburg, Western Albemarle, Weddington (NC), and others. The boys were excited to see how they would fare against many of the region’s best teams.  After a unique introduction ceremony for each of the teams the boys went after it.  On this day several would set career PRs as they were led again by junior Gavin Hansen (PR 15:53.2).  Gavin was followed by junior Luke Young (PR 16:08.7), senior Jacob Kurak (PR 16:10.5), senior Zach Taylor (PR 16:11.8), junior Liam Young (PR 16:22.3), senior Ben Cale (16:35.6), and senior Davis Cuffe(17:01.5).  When the dust cleared the Falcons finished in a very impressive 7^th place and the top 5 finishers set career PRs.  The team average time of 16:09 was the best of the year.  It was an excellent finish to the year and will hopefully provide momentum for the boys heading into track season and next year’s XC season.  Great job to all who raced postseason!