By Arman Craig, Staff Writer
// The Acalanes High School cross-country season is underway, and hopes are high for another impressive year.
After the girls finished third in the North Coast Section (NCS) last year, along with strong individual performances from the boy’s team, the cross country team is ready to continue its dominance this year.
Coming into the season, the runners felt very confident about their possible success this year, and both boys and girls expect a strong season.
“I think it’s pretty reasonable to expect to see both our girls and boys team to qualify for state this year,” senior Logan Farzan said.
With such lofty goals in sight, the team began training during the summer and put in hard work and dedication to prepare for the season.
For the boys, recent seasons have come just short of their goal to make State. However, with an ambitious group of runners, they strive to compete at a high level this season.
“I think we finally have those final pieces that qualify us as a team,” Farzan said.
With the season’s peak approaching, the team continues to put daily effort into their goals; athletes from all grades are helping provide the necessities to excel this season.
“We have a lot of really fast and strong incoming freshmen, and I think we have a really good shot at winning NCS and possibly taking a high spot at State,” senior Olivia Williams said.
Even after a dominant season last year, the girls expect to surpass their old achievement of qualifying for State and take it to the next level. At the Farmer Invitational on Sept. 16, the Dons made it clear that they are starting the year off strong, with girls varsity placing 2nd overall.
“It was really good; the girls are back in good form,” Head Coach Jeff Hutson said.
The team was successful again at their second meet on Sept. 23. Williams and Farzan placed 1st in their divisions, and the girl’s team received a perfect score. The team looks forward to future competition, including meets against rival league matchups.
With recent success and positive energies, the Dons are confident about what is next to come. With NCS in the future, the team hopes to succeed when it counts.
“Bringing both the boys and the girls team to state is 100 percent the goal this year,” Hutson said.