Girls XC Champions
Girls Cross Country Champions. Named from left to right, top row: Ashley Lipchus Wong (Gr. 9), Lauren Tom (Captain Gr. 12), Ali Fleming (Gr. 12), Breanna Williamson (Captain Gr. 12), Ryleigh Coakley (Gr. 12), Carly Longtine (Gr. 12), Katie Otto (Gr. 12), Kelsey Berta (Gr. 11), Isabella Campiglia (Gr. 10). Bottom row: Kate Molina (Gr. 12), Carla Farris (Gr. 11), Gabriella Daskalova (Gr. 9), Katie Cammarata (Gr. 10), Gianna Norris (Gr. 9), Kathryn Tam (Gr. 9), Shannon Massage (Gr. 10). Photo courtesy of Derek Bischoff
November 5, 2019
The RHS Girls Cross Country team started, and finished, their season on the right foot. The Gaels were the Divisional Co-Champions with Sparta, ending their season with an amazing 4-1 record. All this glory didn’t come overnight. This success was a result of long practices, tough workouts, and of course, lots of running.
The girls team had to work extremely hard to become Divisional Co-Champs, as their 2018-2019 record was 0-4. Leading the team, Coach Bischoff and Coach Schmidt knew they had to push their team hard this year in order to have a comeback season. Head Girls Coach Mrs. Schmidt said, “This year we had a newer, inexperienced team, but we hoped to inspire greatness in them, help them achieve just beyond their expected potential, and to improve upon our performance last year.”
Junior Carla Farris said that the team had high expectations for this upcoming season. They hoped to improve from their 1-4 record last season. They had some great assets returning to the team, like senior Lauren Tom, as well as some promising young talent found in newcomers like freshman Gabriella Daskalova. Farris was unsure of what this season would bring as there were a lot of new runners. However, she describes the team had a “family feel” that helped them become successful.
Senior Carly Longtine joined the cross country team for the first time this season and was unsure of what to expect. “In all honesty, I didn’t know what to expect for this season. I had grown up playing soccer all my life and cross country was a whole new world to me.” Longtine continues to explain that she could tell from the start of the season this year was going to be great for the team.
The cross country program is one of the most positive environments that I’ve ever been in. All of my teammates and I have grown so close over the past few months. It’s great to be a part of something that is not only fun, but challenging too. We all work hard and push each other through the workouts. I am going to miss all of my teammates, of course, Bischoff and Schmidt, and just the sport of cross country. It was new to me this year but I have grown to love it, and I’m sad that my first year had to be my last!
— Carly Longtine, Class of 2020
While the team has already been successful, they hope to continue this into the championship season. The team will compete at Sectionals on November 9th and Groups on November 16th. Regarding the upcoming championship season, Coach Schmidt said, “Our biggest meets of the season are still ahead of us and we have made it a goal to get to the Group Championship this year as a team. As for next year, we are losing a large group of seniors, but we are returning and very strong group of underclassmen who will only continue to improve.”
It is safe to say this season has been successful for the Girls Cross Country team, but they are still hungry for more. The team’s hard-working attitudes, determination, and talent will help them continue to meet their goals throughout the season. Be sure to show the team your support as they sprint towards a championship ending to an already accomplished season.
