Girls’ Cross Country Defeats NMH
A cool breeze blew over the hillsides that flourished with autumn color as the Exeter girls’ cross country team weaved through trails and climbed their way up the final hills of NMH’s course. This was another banner week for GXC as they took home yet another win. Even though success seems constant at this point in their season, the team was sure to prepare thoroughly for the difficulties presented by NMH’s course that they had not yet faced this season.
Senior Juni Terry called NMH’s course “the most difficult in the league.” If you’ve ever visited NMH, you will remember that it is a school atop a mountain, which is a recipe for a high difficulty race. Terry elaborated, “Exeter did really well at not being intimidated by NMH’s course. We really pushed it on the hills. What makes their course so difficult is the countless hills from beginning to end.” This rough terrain would be a challenge for any cross country runner, but it was especially so for Exeter due to the stark contrast to our very flat course.
"The course was full of hills and tough footing but everyone ran swiftly and had a great race."
Exeter spent a while training for these hills in practices and by going for a 10-mile team bonding hike last Saturday when there was no meet. This provided an opportunity for the team to get to know each other more closely, but also to be prepared for the mountainous challenge awaiting them at NMH.
Senior and co-captain Sarah Brown agreed that, “the course was full of hills and tough footing but everyone ran swiftly and had a great race.” Brown also thought that what the course lacked in simplicity, it made up for in natural beauty. She said, “The course was very beautiful with amazing leaves and lots of woods.”
Lower Grace Gray echoed Brown’s words, “The course was really beautiful and wide, and it was almost entirely rolling hills, which is different than our flat course at home, so it was challenging and really fun.” Gray noticed that the opposing team did a particularly good job at mastering these hills and at maintaining a friendly, but competitive attitude. She added, “I think that Exeter also did a good job of being friendly and respectful to NMH and then going out there on the course and working together to give it our best effort.”
Thankfully, the week of intense training and preparation paid off. Exeter triumphed over NMH and beat them on their own turf. Brown noted, “The course ended with three hills. I saw many fast finishes on Exeter’s part which were even more impressive after such a hard last half mile.” The final score for varsity was 16-47 (in this sport, the lower the score the better), and 16-46 for JV.
Next week JV will face Brooks, and the following week both sections of the team will go against Deerfield Academy. The team hopes to see more fans on their sidelines, especially leading up to the big interscholastic race at E/a that will be held here at home. Good luck to girls’ cross country as they continue on their winning streak this season.