The varsity cross country team competed in the 44th Woodbridge Cross Country Classic over the weekend of Sept. 19-20. The meet occurred at Great Park in Irvine, California, where multiple teams across the country competed for a chance to be the next winners of the Woodbridge Classic. The girls team placed sixth in the rated race, where they received ratings based on their strengths and the difficulty of the race. The boys team placed fifth in the sweepstakes race, which is the top-level race at an invitational, and therefore the most competitive division.
“I was really proud of our team,” cross country coach Colin Sully said. “It gives them some incredible big meet experience and allows our kids to compete at a national level.”
The meet was the first time the team competed nationally since the 2023 season. The district allows the team to travel and compete out of state every other year. The cross country team receives an invitation to the Woodbridge Classic every year since at least one or both of the teams are ranked nationally. To attend the meet, entries must be submitted, then the meet committee decides what race would be best for the teams.
“Woodbridge has some of the best teams in the country,” senior captain Kai McCullough said. “We are so grateful for the chance to be there and compete. As a captain, I’m really proud of our team, and thankful to be able to lead them both on and off the course.”
To prepare for the meets, the team conditions themselves similarly all season long to make sure they are in good shape before they can make it to state down the road. Along with team conditioning on their running mileages, the athletes prepare themselves individually for their own success by keeping up with their nutrition by eating well and getting enough sleep before running.
“Our goal is to sweep all divisions at the district meet, a feat we have yet to accomplish, but have gotten close to many times,” Sully said.
The team has one more regular season meet in Marble Falls, and then they will compete in the district meet next Wednesday, Oct. 8. According to Sully, the team’s next goal is to advance from the regional to the state competition.
“I think [the meet] is just a small picture of what we can do if everyone is at their best,” McCullough said. “If we can get everyone healthy and focused for state, we have great potential to do some big things again this year.”
