North Harford High School’s cross country team was the only fall sport that made it to the state finals this year.
In order for the team to make it to the state finals, the team must place earn placement in regional finals based upon the size of the division. The girls placed first and the boys came in third in this race held in Dorchester County.
The top seven male and female runners on the team competed in that race and then again the State meet held at Hereford High School on what was a blustery day.
The team had mixed feelings about going to the competition. Junior Dylan Kapustensky said, “I thought States might actually be fun this year and then I realized once the race started how much pain I was putting myself through.” Others on the team said that the pain was rewarding and that it was a memory that they will never forget.
Sophomore Angel Wiggins thought States was pretty cool. “Before the race I was super nervous, and during….. I hurt a lot. After I was really proud of myself and our team, as it goes for most of my races,” said the tenth grader.
Senior Chris Robinson describes the state competition as “a surreal feeling.” He added, “The sheer size of it is hard to believe. Then there is an excitement in the air, you can feel it as soon as you get there.” With a mix of nerve and excitement, the senior said “It’s the greatest feeling in the world. And on top of that feeling it’s at the most iconic course in Maryland. It’s amazing.”
Training for the competition all season can be a little rough, however junior Delany Flickenger said, “We worked so hard until the very last possible meet of the season, all we could think about was that final destination.”
Making it to States is an accomplishment for which the Hawks can be proud. The girls and boys teams both finished 12th overall. Sophomore Laurel Brown believes though her individual performance was not her best, “at least the team did well, that’s all that matters.”
Next year the runners are looking forward to doing it again with new kids up to the starting block hoping to beat some of the most fierce rivals in Harford County and bringing home a State champion title home to North Harford.