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Woodland Cross Country Team Goals for the Remainder of the Hopeful Season

It is no secret that Woodland Cross Country has had a successful past. In fact, in recent years Woodland Cross Country has been nothing short of dominant in the NVL. Past success in long distance running motivates cross country runners at Woodland Regional High School to strive for greatness. Being victorious is not a new concept to the team, and it is looking like that will continue throughout this season.

In the 2018 season, the Woodland Cross Country boys team went undefeated and won the NVL meet. The girls achieved the same feat, as they did not lose a single meet for the entire season and brought in an NVL championship. In the 2019 season, the boys had only one loss and placed second in the NVL meet. Meanwhile, the girls had another successful season following 2018, and ended it with an undefeated record and an NVL championship.

So far this year, cross country has had five meets against ten teams, and two invitational meets. The Woodland boys team has won all of their five regular season meets for an overall record of 12-0. Meanwhile, the girls team only lost one meet on the season, with an overall record of 11-1.

“This is the best team we’ve had in my time here,” claimed senior captain Colin Slavin. “We just have a lot of raw talent.”

Woodland runners have both team and individual goals for the season. Individual goals can vary from a specific time they want to beat, to a place they want to get within the team or meet. An individual goal is to strive for an NVL spot, which is available to only seven runners.

“An individual goal I have every year is to be an NVL runner,” said senior and NVL runner Eric Meade.

Slavin on the other hand has more specific goals regarding individual performance. “I want to go undefeated in every meet. I want to win NVLs and I want to get the NVL record for 15:54.” A time of 15:54 on the 3.1 mile NVL course would be an NVL record, and a personal best for Slavin.

Woodland’s team as a whole is rising to the occasion this year and their motivation is getting noticed from some of the top runners on the team.

“The team has really stepped up, so I feel confident about what we can do as a team,” said Chloe Poulos, Woodland’s top girls runner.

Woodland is led by Coach Jeff Lounds who is searching for an NVL title. Lounds helps to prepare his team for meets by practicing four to five days a week with one weekly meet. Lounds had his sights set on a division championship and never likes to overlook any upcoming meets.

With runners like Slavin, Meade, and Poulos leading the team, an NVL championship is certainly a possibility. Both Slavin and Poulos are captains of their respective teams, while Meade is a 4-year cross country runner who embodies every trait of a leader.

With the superb performance of some underclassmen, Poulos is very confident about how the team will perform once she graduates.

“I have high hopes for the team once I graduate,” Poulos commented. “I’m hoping they continue with the same mindset that we’ve had these past years, and continue to be successful.”

Whatever goals each runner has, the team is extremely motivated and determined to win. Pressure to win does not faze the team, as they continue to look strong heading into the final stretch of the season. More than anything, confidence looks to be vital in the team’s success; however, for Meade and the Hawks, having confidence is an understatement.

“Unless one of our top runners get hurt, we should end the season with an NVL championship.”

Bryce DiGiovanna

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