As summer ended, the cross-country team began their school year by looking towards their first meet on Sep. 5. In order to prepare for the meet, the cross-country team prepared over the summer with practices every week and working out in the weight room. They also ran the trails outside of Maclay every day to condition themselves. 

While training this summer, the cross-country team hoped to improve but have as much fun as they could. For the boys, they added mileage in their 1k and 200. They also began working to better themselves to beat their personal records (PRs). For the girls, they improved their long runs and increased their mileage as well. Additionally, they have been going over race strategy as they prepare for the upcoming competitions.

“I am excited for this season and hope to accomplish new goals,” sophomore Olivia Bishop said. “I am looking forward to team trips with my team and I can’t wait to see how all our runners improve this season.”

Bishop, who is also a Maclay soccer player, utilized the pre-season to run with her team and work out.

“I have been running and doing strength workouts,” sophomore Mary Clayton Soto said. “I’m nervous for the season because I have never raced for high school XC.”

Soto is not the only one who has been putting the work in for this upcoming season. 

“I’m feeling confident that most of us are going to have a lot of improvement this season!” junior Dillon Williams said. “It’s definitely great to be getting back into the swing of things after COVID left us with a somewhat lackluster season last year.”

Hannah Hosay, a Maclay alumnus and coach for the middle school cross-country team, has been observing the hard work both teams have been putting into their preseason. 

“Both the middle and high school have been dedicating their time and efforts to the preseason workouts, so they will be going into the season well prepared,” Hosay said. “The season schedule is full of challenging meets and opportunities to show the hard work the team has put in this summer. The team has worked really hard this summer, so I expect a really successful season. I’m excited to see what they all will accomplish!”