As the runners bent one foot in front of the other and their nerves hit record highs, they waited for “on your marks,” bracing themselves for the bang of the starting gun. 

High schools from all across Loudoun County got together for the Cross Country District Meet on Oct. 26 at Woodgrove High School, with a few Phoenix runners getting the opportunity to feel the adrenaline rush of competing at the next level. 

Before each meet, athletes prepare during practice and try to do their best to win. The practice before districts was no different. However, senior Ayush Marwaha has his own personal routine aside from what he does at practice. “The night before [a meet], I’ll meditate and visualize myself doing well,” Marwaha said. “I just make sure I’m doing well and get enough sleep.”

As the teams who qualified for districts arrived at Woodgrove High School two hours before the meet started, they warmed up to get used to the course beforehand. Freshman Advik Baiju prepared with his team by running laps and staying hydrated before the race began. “Some people walk and jog the course just to get their heart rate up before [a race], [and some] run some strides right before the race,” Baiju said.  “[You] just give it your all and that’s just how it is.” 

Even though the boys team didn’t do as well as they expected to do at districts, the athletes have high hopes for next year. Marwaha believes that because it was the first time the athletes made it to districts, the nerves got to them. “I feel like as a team we all could’ve done better,” Marwaha said.  “The district meet for the boys was actually the first time we had a district meet. The team wasn’t used to it, but I feel [like] in the future, they’ll be great.”

Other members of the cross country team also felt like the team overall could have performed better compared to their previous meets; however, the meet did have some successes. Sophomore Arya Lele managed to break his PR (personal record) during the meet. “My time was 19 minutes and 20 seconds, I think I improved my PR by over two [minutes], which is a lot,” Lele said. “During districts, I think I was the only one who improved their PR.”

Even if the team didn’t do as expected, they were still proud of how they made it to districts this year. Biology teacher and cross country coach Michael Johnson congratulated the athletes and rewarded them for their season. “For this [meet], he rewarded us,” Baiju said. “He gave us candy, cupcakes and everything, because districts are at the end of the season, too.”