2018 Cross Country Wrap-Up

By Coach Ryan Long

 

The Faith Cross Country team had a lot of fun throughout this season. Everyone on the team worked hard to improve their times, and their efforts paid off as everyone on the team qualified for Nationals!

 

The Team Captains, Senior Taylor England and Junior Ryan Hughes, provided solid leadership for the team all season long, leading team stretching routines and encouraging everyone to do their best.  The team was also edified every day by Sophomore Emily Jo Taylor (our Team Prayer Captain) and each week as Hughes shared a devotional from the Word of God. The focus all season long was centered around praising God for His goodness to us and giving Him the glory for every outcome.

 

Sophomore Katlyn Holaday was consistently the lead runner for the women's team, with freshman Chelsea Ratliff close behind. Taylor England and Emily Jo Taylor were able to run together during many of the races throughout the season, with everyone running faster than the Nationals qualifying mark by the middle of October at the Wartburg College meet.

 

Our season ended November 10th with a trip to Branson, MO where the team competed at the NCCAA National XC Meet. The Friday night banquet was held at Dolly Parton's Dixieland Stampede, which was good food and fun entertainment for all. The course was not as much fun though, as it required the runners to climb a large steep hill multiple times throughout the race.  While everyone had slower than normal times, the Faith team competed well and ended the season on a high note.

 

We are very thankful for your prayers and encouragement throughout the season, it is tremendously helpful! We thank God for the many blessings He bestowed on our team, and I am already looking forward to next season with several of the team members planning to return for more fun times together!