(Courtesy/XC athletes and @cravenjoephotos on Instagram)

Amid constant rain and copious mud, the boys cross country team ran its most anticipated race of the year, Centerville Night Lights, on Saturday, September 28. 

Despite most athletes running three minutes slower than their personal bests, Chris H. led the pack with a seventh-place finish, crossing in 18:52.6. Dane followed in 30th (20:07.6), with Henry S. close behind in 44th (20:24.6). Giuseppe P. and Graham A. rounded out the top five in 140th and 177th, running respective times of 22:34.8 and 24:01.5. With a team score of 342, the boys placed 11th out of 25 schools.

The course, covered in deep puddles and slick muck, led to people sliding down hills and becoming drenched in the elements, a night to remember. The week leading up to this night race, the boys had themed, spirited practices, dressing up for a bit of fun. They wore neon, twinned with teammates, dressed as the coaches, showed up for a class clash, and created white lies. With cloudy weather in the 70s, it finally felt like fall for the cross country team. 

Moving into postseason, the boys compete at Buckeye Valley for the Central Buckeye League Championship on Saturday, October 5.