As the final season of cross country ends for seniors, a group of friends reminisce their experiences over the years. The years have been full of beautiful and tough moments but they kept their pace as they reached the finish line. Elizabeth Grey explained how this past season was tough because she was injured and can’t run at all. “I tried coming back slowly while continuing my physical therapy, and for a while it was working fairly well, but after the first meet everything went downhill again. It’s just stressful because I have to sit and watch everyone else run and compete, especially because it’s my senior year.” However, injuries were not the only thing that stressed students out this season. Lauren Campbell often felt the pressure of running varsity and not having an amazing race every time. Trying to maintain the level of perfection can be stressful for anyone. On the other hand, the feeling of running and playing a sport along side some of your best friends is something unimaginable unless you experience it. The act of being along side others who support you is one of the most encouraging one possible.

The friendly competition between four senior friends has been an encouraging and fun game to make difficult time easier. Your teammates allow you to enjoy the wonderful celebrations while also processing the losses. They also pick you back up when the losses seem to be too overbearing. Friends Elizabeth Grey, Lauren Campbell, Sabryn Leidlein, and Janaya Baker all met each other at various points in their life but their journey together through cross country and track seasons has brought them closer than they imagined. Their friendship has been encouraging to each other to new give up because there is always a little fight left inside you. The friendship the four girls have carried on outside of running into everyday friendship. They remind us how our teammates are our biggest supporters and fans. Nevertheless, they remind us that the team you join during one season never end within that one season. The people you met during a sport or a club stay with us for the rest of our lives. They are the ones that help shape our lives. They will forever be your biggest supporters. So when times get tough never block out others because they want the best for you too. Support one another and cherish the friendships you make.