Spartan XC

By: Casey Robinson on Oct 9, 2021 | Categories: General, Athletics

On Saturday, October 2, our Cross Country team had a meet at Lugoff-Elgin Highschool. This was especially exciting for me since I have not been to a meet since two years ago. Last year, all meets were canceled due to COVID. My Saturday started by waking up at 6:20. I packed my shoes and clothes before making sure that other runners in Band and Staff were up and packed. We met the rest of the team by the Admin Building and boarded the bus. I studied the map of the course with other teammates, that way we knew exactly which places to pick up speed on and slow down. When we arrived, I led the team in stretches before getting briefed by Coach Heflin. We knew exactly who our competitors were and how to keep pace with them. By the time we lined up on the starting line, our adrenaline was through the roof. At the sound of the gunshot, I couldn’t help but sprint the first hundred yards. It was the adrenaline rush that pushed me. When I started to pace myself, I could already feel the fatigue. I wasn’t going to let this stop me though. I found my man and kept pace with him. On multiple occasions, we tried to get ahead of each other to no avail. When we hit the final mile, we had to enter a narrow path through a forested section of the trail. My competitor quickly sped up in front of me. Due to the road being so narrow, I couldn’t pass him. We reached the chute and both of us kicked it into high gear and gave it all we had left. Unfortunately, my competitor beat me by one second. Still, I managed to secure myself fourth place and assist the team in an overall second place finish!