This year, the girls’ cross country team is running at full speed with hopes to advance to the state competition for the first time in recent history.
Bearden’s girls earned fourth place at the Victor Ashe Park 2 mile course in late August. Junior Lakin Gettelfinger came in the top 15 out of 128 total runners at the meet with a time of 14:26.
She credits her mindset as the key to her success.
“Even when it gets tough I know there will be a point where it is rewarding too,” Gettelfinger said. “It keeps me going.”
Junior Millie Lovett, another cross country standout, is coming off of an injury near the start of the summer. She has yet to run in a race this season, but she will make her 2023 debut
“My biggest motivation is making my younger self proud,” Lovett said. “If little Millie knew what I was doing now, she’d be so proud of me.”
Coaching is a massive part of the overall success. Head coach Ashley Schott is set on breaking records while keeping a mentally safe environment.
“The biggest thing with cross country is individualizing kids as they need certain things,” Coach Schott said. “Every girl, they come from different backgrounds of running. Some have had injuries, so working with each individual and trying to strengthen each individual makes the team better as a whole.”
This team has been gaining the fortitude to push past their perceived limits. Coming out on top is a big deal to the runners and Coach Schott.
“Last year, we [narrowly] missed state, so this year, they have really come back motivated and wanting to qualify for state, and it has transferred into everyday practice,” Coach Schott said.
As the season progresses, Schott expects there will be more drive and ambitions appearing from the girls. Lovett is striving for a big season, and with her persistence she hopes to get what she wants.
“My goal is to break the school record and become all-state,” Lovett said.
Lovett’s personal best for a 5k is 19:33, just 51 seconds behind the school record.
With standouts Lovett and Gettelfinger leading the pack and several younger runners following closely behind, this set of teammates will hopefully be one for the books.
“It is a strong group of runners, but overall just a great group of people,” Coach Schott said.
The boys season is also up-and-running, and 2022 standout Cade Crumm will be one of the favorites to win an individual state title this year. Stay tuned to The Bark for more.