Wilmington Cross country team runs first meet

After an absence of more than four decades, cross country is up and running again at Wilmington High School.

Due to interest among students, the school has put together a team for this season.

What exactly is cross country? Cross country running consists of about three miles of racing through woods, wilderness, golf courses and more. Cross country running takes a different kind of mental strength as every race you line up knowing pain is ahead.

Each course is different, never knowing what to expect. Will this race bring hills, obstacles, or will you get lucky with a flat course? Weather can be a factor with rain, hail, heat and chills, runners never know what to expect. The one thing that is definite is that the race will go on.

The year three talented runners are taking on the challenge of cross country at WHS. Brooklyn Flores, Cody Prindivelle and Chloe Proffitt are being coached by Stephanie Stickel, an outstanding coach and former runner for Big 10 school, University of Illinois.

For the first time in 47 years athletes from WHS are doing everything possible to compete. From training, to fundraising, these talented young athletes have it covered. Why are they putting in the extra work to do something many may cringe at the thought of?

“Running for me is my escape,” said Proffitt. “When I’m running, nothing else matters, it’s just me and the trail. To be able to share this joy with others is important to me. Not only that, but the friendships built through cross country are friendships that last a lifetime,” she said.

“Running is something I am going to continue onto college and for my senior year to finally experience cross country as a team with dedicated athletes means the world to me,” Proffitt concluded.

“Running for me means self dedication and never giving up, and having a cross country team means I can push myself in the start of the year as long as the end,” Prindivelle said.

“To me, running is a way to escape reality. It is stepping out of my comfort zone and doing something amazing,” commented Flores. “I wanted to run cross country this year to help improve my running and it’s fun to run places that aren’t just a normal track. It’s important that Wilmington has a cross country team because runners are amazing people and its good for us to connect with other runners. Its also important because everyone on the team has a passion and dedication for running and we should be able to have this option available.”

While there are only three Wildcats on the team, they won’t be counted in the team scoring. So each is entering as individuals hoping to achieve a state-qualifying time.

Last Wednesday these three athletes had their first meet in Morris. Proffitt placed among the top 10 and medaled for varsity girls. Flores and Prindivelle both ran strong races. These athletes have a bright season ahead.