The girls cross country team started their season with a race against Holy Names, Ingraham, and Eastside Catholic, Wednesday, September 25th at Lower Woodland. There were 35 racers that represented Blanchet, and they placed 1st out of 4 teams and scored a total of 36 points. The girls country team had been working very hard for these meets. 

“A cross country race is extremely painful, but very rewarding at the end,” said junior Danielle Jaculevicz. “You have to run at a fast pace for 3 miles but also run smart. My teammates and I treat our bodies well throughout the whole day.” 

Jaculevicz has been representing the Braves for her 3rd year and is a great leader and is always excited and gets her team pumped up for races. She has also participated in the state tournament and hopes to return back there this year. 

Team dynamic is very important when running as a team because of the large amounts of time going on long runs as a team. The races they compete in are very difficult, they run 3.1 miles, and Lower Woodland is very hilly. The way they approach each race is different for every person.

 “Everyone on the team had a different mental approach to racing, but a lot of us think about others when racing,” said junior Eliza Wells. “In most races we have someone else on the team who we race with for at least part of the race.” 

There is a lot one might not know about the stress and work you put on your body being a cross country runner. That is why it is important to have a good approach and mindset while preparing and running cross country.