BY VINNI MILTON-RODRIGUEZ
The girls cross-country team sprinted to victory during the passing fall season. Two athletes, Julia Garron and Victoria Lobrow, received the All-County Award. Two others, Riley O’Regan and Abigail Ressler, received the All-Division Award. “All-County is a selection of the top 10 runners from Middlesex County,” explains Mr. Adrian Cline, coach of the girls cross-country team. “All-Division is a selection of the top 10 runners in the Red Division. These are very competitive spots taken from how runners do at GMCs and throughout the season. These awards are chosen by coaches throughout the GMC.”
Leaders of each team across the county had hundreds of other girls to choose from who also ran cross-country, which makes the number of students from one team that received it an outstanding achievement. “When I was recognized by the county it felt surreal,” said Garron. “I started this season with the expectations of preparing for track season and keeping my endurance and I did not expect for this ending.”
Out of the eighteen girls on the team, four students on the team stood out enough to receive awards from Middlesex County for their stunning performances. “I’m so grateful and honored to be recognized in this way,” Lobrow stated. “There’s so many great runners that were in this group and to be chosen along with my amazing teammate was just such a fulfilling moment and a great way to end off the season.”
Since cross-country is hours of running on natural ground, the sport requires a significant amount of stamina. “Running can be intimidating at times,” Ressler stated. “This sport is all about commitment. You don’t have to be an amazing runner when you join. Everyone has to start somewhere. But once you start seeing yourself improving at it, it’s one of the greatest feelings. You can feel yourself getting stronger each and every day.”
The current runners already on the team had some helpful advice for those future athletes interested in joining the girls cross-country team. “For those in middle school who may be thinking about doing cross country, I say go for it. Sometimes running can be a love-hate relationship, but if you don’t do it for the love of the sport, do it for the bonds you’ll create with your team. I promise it will be worth it!”
The accolades these four athletes received show that all their efforts paid off in the end. “[The award] makes me feel accomplished with how much hard work I have put in and excited for the upcoming track season and next cross-country season!” said Garron.
Posted 12/13/21
Photos by Lors Photography
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