Written By: Ari Campbell
This year, the Providence Academy Girls’ Cross Country (XC) team was hungrier than ever to go to state. Last year, the prospect of state was dangled enticingly before them, just barely out of reach. However, the victory was snatched away by Trinity School, who took second place at the sections race, leaving the Lions in crippling third. The PA girls channelled the sting of disappointment into an even greater ambition. Their ambition this year is what earned them ninth place at state, as well as first at both sections and conference–all of which had never been done before in one season at PA.
The Lady Lions proudly present their Sections plaque.
“Last year was a really good season, but during the sections race in particular we got so close to going to state…so it felt like a big let-down at the end of the season,” said the head coach, Mr. Nathan Wentz. “Leading into this season, one of the biggest hopes was that we’d be able to realize some of those goals that we had last year, instead of feeling like there was a sting because it didn’t quite happen,” he continued.
The most vicious opponents in XC are not other runners; rather, there are nonhuman adversaries that lie in ravenous wait. One can never predict when these enemies will strike.
A miniscule cold, a bit of congestion, or even a light cough can make running unbearable. Injuries visit runners like old friends: no runner is without their company for long. Heat, bitter cold, rain, and wind are foes. The most potent villain is pessimism–the only weapon that a runner can wield against it is a firm willpower. Even a promising streak of races does not secure victory; the tables can completely turn at any race. Spike length, stretching, and warm-up clothing are all crucial details, especially if a team aspires for state.
“I was hoping [to go to state]. Going into the season, there were so many unknowns,” Wentz explained. “When we started the season, Lily [Carlson] was unsure of joining, [Ariadna Campbell was] not sure either, and Elizabeth Maiser had an injury [and] she still wasn’t able to run at the beginning of the season. We didn’t know exactly if all of those pieces would come together to make a full team.”
Unless those pieces of the team came together, the chances for going to state would be very slim. Miraculously, everything did come together, making the state championship a thrilling possibility.
Runners on the team shared equally in this endeavor of greatness. There was a powerful sense of community among them. Victory did not belong to one member of the team–it was a unified, unselfish effort.
“Everyone helps everyone get to state, and it was fun knowing that I helped as well,” Lily Carlson, ‘27 stated.
It is absolutely crucial for runners to run not for themselves, but for each other. Without a kindhearted community, a team will never come together. After all, running without friends is mere pain–it is the community that makes it fulfilling.
The reconciling of the team this season, though a major enhancement, did not promise it a spot at the state championship meet. In fact, there were many close calls that almost jeopardized the team’s proudest successes, such as being the first Lady Lions XC team to win both conference and sections.
The Lady Lions XC team celebrate the State race.
The Girls’ XC team reached great heights this season: they won conference and sections in addition to placing ninth at state. But, as Wentz stated, these were narrow escapes from defeat. How did this team escape these losses? Is the reason sheer luck, hard work, or both?
Wentz answers this question concisely; if the victors are wise, Wentz’s insight should resound within them long after the glory has faded.
“We have to recognize that all the glory has to go to God,” he concluded.