The cross country team composed of 30 members both boys and girls went to compete in Phoenix, Arizona. They left on the 23rd of  September and came back on Saturday night the 25th. 

The team had to change their plans at the last minute. They were supposed to take a bus but the driver had covid, so they finally flew in.

 “We all have to book the flight literally the night before,” said Emma Thomas, 12, “ We were scared for a little while about not being able to leave but the parents fixed it quickly. It was very stressful”

Thomas, the captain of the team, spoke about how cramped it was in their hotel.

“We slept in a hotel room,” said Thomas. “There were four people per room. It was a normal size and everybody had bathrooms”

Their schedule was intense. Their practices and meets added up to 14 miles of total running.

 “ We ran 3 miles the day before the meat, 8 miles the day of the meet, and 3 miles the day after the meat”, said Thomas.

The race was held in the Arizona desert. About 5000 students from across the nation met up to race.

 “Everyone did very good on the meet, especially Jade”, said Thomas. 

Indeed Jade Allen 10 broke the previous school school record. The previous record was only held for one year till Allen broke it. 

“The school record was 18’30 and I ran 17’58,” said Allen.

She was so happy, she couldn’t believe it. Her team was very excited for her.

“When my teammates came and saw me at the end of the race and told me I broke the record I started crying”, said Allen. “I was just so happy I couldn’t believe it”. 

She forgot to start her watch but thanks to a clock a hundred meters before the end of the race she knew she was doing very well.

“The last hundred meters I saw the clock and I just gave everything I got,” said Allen. 

Now Allens next goal is to break her own record.

 “I really hope I will break my own record, “ said Jane. 

The team’s trip wasn’t only racing and running. They went to a waterpark and relaxed as well.

“‘We went to a waterpark. It was very fun,” said Thomas. “I even went to get a pedicure.“ 

Allen really enjoyed her time in Arizona. At the same time she was very focused and relaxed.

 “I loved it, it was very fun just hanging out with my teammate. We were focused the day before the race but after it was more chill and a lot of fun,” said Allen.