It’s nice to take a light run every now and then, but some students seem to like running a little too much. In that case, it’s a good thing there’s a sport for them to be able to do this: cross country!

The cross country, or "XC" if you’re cool, season began September 15 with Beaver Area’s first meet at Brady's Run where they raced against Moon and Montour.

Though senior Will Lamb was able to finish first individually, the rest of Beaver Area runners did not fare as well, with the team coming in last behind Moon and Montour.

Thankfully, the team has no injuries and was able to stay otherwise healthy thanks to precautions like racing in heats and wearing masks when not competing.

The team is again under the guidance of Coach Goldcamp.

When asked about which freshmen boys were showing the most promise, Lamb could not say for sure.

"Not to sound cheesy, but they all do. Time will tell as we’ve learned this year," Lamb stated.

Despite a less-than-ideal first meet, senior Isabella DiPietrantonio remained optimistic about the team's overall chances for the year.

"We have a strong group and show so much potential for our [race] times to get even closer as our meets continue," DiPietrantonio said.

Unlike other Beaver Area sports teams, XC does not have official captains. Instead, senior runners as a whole take on leadership roles as they see fit. This year's seniors are Lamb, DiPietrantonio, Maryna Lytle, and Jacob Larson.

Make sure to check the ECHO next month for a look at the team's performance at the Red, White, and Blue Invitational at White Oak Park!