Cars line both sides of the road leading up to the Crystal Springs cross-country course in preparation for the race. Hundreds of people crowd the area, supporting their friends and family who are running. A gun goes off, signaling the start. As the runners take off down the first hill, kicking up a cloud of dust in their wake, the spectators cheer them on, some with bright banners and colorful posters encouraging their runners. All runners will run 2.95 miles on the cross-country course for the Peninsula Athletic League (PAL) Championship, the last race of the season for many.
On Saturday, Nov. 3, Carlmont cross country ran in the PAL Championship along with 16 other schools. The team practices six times a week, with opportunities for extra practice.
“Compared to middle school, cross country this year was more intense, with a lot more dedication. We worked hard, with two-hour practices every day after school,” said freshman Camille Nobrega.
In total, the championship had five races. First, varsity boys started at 10:00 a.m. Carlmont ended up in 2nd place overall, only 41 points behind Menlo-Atherton, with a team time of 1:25:15 and an average time of 17:03.
The second race, a half hour later, was for varsity girls. Carlmont placed 2nd again, just behind Menlo-Atherton, with a team time of 1:41:27 and an average time of 20:18.
The third race was JV boys, with Carlmont coming in fourth place overall, with a team time of 1:35:59 and an average time of 19:12.
In the fourth race, JV girls placed first, with Carlmont runners coming in first, second, third, fourth, fifth, 12th, and 14th place, with a team time of 1:48:10 and an average time of 21:38.
“I feel like I’ve really improved this year,” Nobrega said.
Finally, in the Open Boys race, Carlmont came in first place again. Carlmont runners placed second, fourth, fifth, sixth, ninth, 13th, and 20th. They had a team time of 1:28:59 and an average time of 17:48.
“This year was very professional and competitive, coached seriously, with a lot of effort and time put forth by the players,” said Mary Beth Grey, the parent of a freshman runner.
