The girls cross country team experienced a historic season last year, with a record of 8-3. Their season record was the best record in cross country history at Walpole High School. The girls are looking forward to another successful season this fall. The team has had to deal with a loss of the majority of the varsity team. Recently lost were Jocelyn Lydon, Liz Jelloe, Lane Kelleher, Brigette Lawton and Courtney Shea, who were in the top eight and their leaving has made the other members aware that they need to step up their performances. The underclassmen, Megan Peterson, Rachael Barry, Maddy Shea, and Kristen Coyne, are the ones who will need to step it up and help the team get far in the season. The girls plan on working hard over the summer because they know it will pay off.
For the upcoming season of cross country, the team has to fill the spots of a talented group of seniors. The girls cross country team is rebuilding from the bottom because of their big lost of seniors. This season a lot of underclassmen are going to need to step up to challenges and work harder. The girls this season need to “replace an amazing, outgoing varsity squad” said the girls head coach Jamie Farrell.
The captains for the upcoming season are Joanna Garry, Paola Yerxa, and Lindsey Wassel. The captains have team bonding activities planned for this summer so the girls become closer together with one another. “We are definitely planning activities for team bonding, especially over the summer” said senior Joanna Garry. During the summer and preseason the girls are going to have to work hard and run every day if they want to be a successful young team. “We are going to be training hard over the summer for this upcoming season and I’m confident it will pay off” said Joanna. The captains are very confident that this season the girls will do as well as they did last year or even better.
The girls have an opportunity to go to the running school camp this summer in up state New York. At the camp they will have the chance to work with the other competitive runners as well as learning new techniques to help them in their races this season. The running school holds a talent show each year. The Walpole girls won the talent show this year and plan to keep the winning streak going in New York by practicing as a team before they leave for the camp. By practicing as a team before, it will help the girls bond together.
The girls’ biggest strength this season is “coming off a successful season and knowing what success feels like and wants to experience it again” said Coach Farrell. She also confidently said “they have no weaknesses”. The girls’ biggest competitor is Weymouth, who has been the best team not only in the league but in the state. The team is lucky to go up against a team that is that talented.
Last year the girls cross country team had a great season by setting new records and knowing what winning feels like. If the girls continue their winning streak and success this season, they could set new records as a team.
