The cross country team has started the 2014 – 2015 fall season strong. The team was very successful at the Piedmont Invitational.

Athletic Director Mylo Miller is quite pleased with how the cross country team performed.

“I think that they are doing fantastic,” Miller said. “They are running with a lot of heart, strength in their legs and they are running with a vision in their heads of victory.”

Cross country Coach Steven Stefanick is also proud of how the team is performing this year.

“They are doing great, and they will definitely make it to State if nothing drastic happens,” Stefanick said.

Senior Allegra Knight made school history at the Piedmont meet. Knight won the entire race and won a gold medal for the 2A through 4A division.

Miller is proud of Knight’s accomplishment.

“It took a lot of focus on her part because she was by herself, so she just kept pushing harder to go towards her goal,” Miller said.

Five junior varsity girls swept the junior varsity race by placing first through fifth in the race.

The entire girls cross country team also made school history. Twelve of the girls medaled and won the first place trophy against all 2A through 4A teams that competed at the Piedmont Invitational.

“I think that it was inspirational that the entire team won a trophy,” Stefanick said. “It was great that Allegra won the race overall, and I am very proud of her, but I think that she was proud of the entire team and that they won with her.”

The boys cross country team also had success at the Invitational. Junior Daniel Heckman won eighth place against all 2A through 5A schools, and won the 4A division.

Heckman is also pleased with how he has been performing so far throughout the season.

“It is amazing, but I can’t help feeling that I could train harder and get a little faster,” Heckman said. “However, I have been giving it my all and that is what matters at the end of the day.”

Heckman is the boy’s cross country team captain and is having a fantastic time.

“I woke up one morning and just wanted to run,” Heckman said. “I wanted to feel the wind at my back and the ground beneath my feet.”

Stefanick is impressed with Heckman’s effort.

“Daniel is doing well,” Stefanick said. “I think that he found his passion. He is like a miniature Coach Busick because he runs on the weekends and does everything he can to support the team.”

The entire boys’ team placed fifth overall, however they won first place in the 4A division. They also made history by winning a first place trophy for small schools.

Miller is looking forward to cross country’s future success.

“Cross country is kind of a lonely sport, but they are practicing how they want to race which will help them be successful,” Miller said.