Running their way right into NVLs, Woodland’s cross country team has found great success this season.
In order to keep the teams motivated and on course this season senior, Mary Sardinskas, was named captain of both the Boys and Girls’ Cross Country Teams. Having just one captain was unusual and has only been done once before in the history of Woodland’s Cross Country team.
“Being captain of both [teams] was a bit of a challenge because there was no one to help me or back me up so sometimes it was frustrating,” said Sardinskas. “But, both teams have definitely worked with me and helped out and really respected me.”
Despite having only one captain neither the boys nor girls have been held back in any way. For the last few years it has seemed that the cross country team was struggling to rebuild itself. The team has always been successful in the NVL, but this year the team was bigger than in the past. Not only did a bigger team aid in the successful season, the most important factor has been the positive contributions of everybody on the team.
Not only did everyone contribute positively to each race, but the members were also dedicated to one another.
“The team, especially the girls team, has been so close this year,” said Sardinskas. “I am so glad we’ve won everything like we have and with the team we have this year I wouldn’t expect anything less from the girls.”
While members of the cross country team can only control how fast they run, they know that is important that not just themselves, but everyone on the team is determined to win. Throughout the season the team has worked on sticking together and remembering that none of the races they run are individual races.
“Coach Lownds always reminds us that even if you’re the best runner in the world your team won’t win unless there are six people behind you to help you out,” said Sardinskas.
As NVLs approach the team is quite confident that they will once again prosper. Throughout the last six years either the title of NVL champions for the Girls’ Cross Country Team has gone been won by Woodland or Wolcott High School. For the boys Watertown usually comes out on top. However, both of Woodland’s teams are hoping to find their way to the top this year.
“At NVLs the girl’s team is really hoping to win the whole thing and to win you need to have seven girls in before any other team does,” said Sardinskas. “We have seven girls in about three minutes which is awesome. Now Coach is really teaching us how to stick together to win.”
Although the boy’s team is not expected to win, according to Sardinskas, they are hoping to get about a third behind the Naugatuck and Watertown teams.
On Wednesday, Woodland will participate in the 2013 NVLs with hopes of coming home victorious.
“I’m so glad we’ve won everything that we have,” said Sardinskas. “The season couldn’t have gone any better and we’re just really hoping to win at NVLs.”
