Due to Covid-19, IHSA announced that only certain sports will be competing this 2020 fall season. The sports that are competing this fall are: cross country, golf, tennis, and swimming. Because we are a small school, cross country, and golf are the only two sports competing this fall season at St. Edward. I wanted to check in with the cross-country team to see how their overall season has been and see how Covid-19 has affected their season. The St. Edward cross country team has been working hard all season to improve their race times and to hopefully do well at regionals and sectionals. “We had a slow start, but the team has improved a lot from the beginning of the season! Our hard work is really starting to pay off,” says senior Jase Leonard.

Being one of the only two teams competing this fall, there was a lot more pressure put on the cross-country athletes this season more than others. “We thought more kids would come out for the team since it was one of two teams with an actual season this fall. This was not the case and there was a lot of pressure added since we were such a small team,” says senior Mia Castro. The cross-country athletes have been working very hard this season to represent St. Edward well and to hopefully earn more recognition this 2020 season.

With new safety protocols put into place this season due to Covid-19, it has changed many rules for cross country meets and practices. “COVID has affected our season because there are temperature checks, social distancing, and wearing masks before our meets begin,” says junior Sophia Schneider. The meets for the 2020 season also have a limited number of runners at each race to help keep everyone safe. Even with these new protocols, it has not stopped the St. Edward cross country team from working hard. They continue to practice and improve their times at each meet. Covid-19 might have put the team back at the beginning, but they have improved so much since then.

Senior Spotlight

Jase has been running for St. Edward cross-country for 4 years. She started running in the fifth grade and has been ever since. Her goal for this season, was for the team to get good PR’s and have fun her last year! Her favorite aspect of the sport was bonding and making memories with the team. Her favorite memory from this season was going to get bagels and donuts after their Saturday races with the whole girls’ team. Her best race time this season was 22:03 and received All-Conference Honors this season along with being the team captain. “Our captain, she keeps the team together. Great leadership at meets and practice,” says Coach Sanders.

Julia has been running for the St. Edward cross-country team for 4 years. Julia started running in the fifth grade and has continued to ever since. Her goal this season was to make the best out of her senior year by making memories with her teammates and aiming to advance to sectionals with her team. She likes that cross country is both an individual sport, as well as a team sport. Julia enjoys that cross country is a physical and mental sport. Her favorite memory from this season was the team bonding nights. They participated in many fun activities, such as having team dinners and carving pumpkins. Her best race time this season was 25:33. “Julia is a pleasure to coach. She always puts forth her best effort. She displays her leadership both on and off the racecourse,” says Coach Sanders.

Mia has been running for the St. Edward cross-country team for 2 years. Her goal this season was to make memories and form friendships with her teammates. Her favorite aspect of the sport was going to meets and finishing races. Her favorite memory from this season was after their Harvest meets going to Dunkin Donuts with her teammates. Her best race time this season was 21:47 and received All-Conference Honors. “Consistent all year – places 2nd or 3rd at our meets,” says Coach Sanders.

Ethan has been running for the St. Edward cross-country team for 4 years and overall has been running for 9. Ethan was the captain of the boy’s team this year and lead his teammates well. His goal is to get through the season and drop his time under 23 minutes. His favorite aspect of the sport is running the races. Ethan’s favorite memory from this season was participating in the captain’s practices. His best race time this season was 23:22. “Our captain and most consistent runner. Always encourages others to do well,” says Coach Sanders.