Sophomore Christopher Wilson gets warmed up before the meet.
With just two runners competing in the team’s first cross-country meet, the Cavs braved sizzling temperatures at the 5th Annual Foothill Showcase on Sept. 27.
Only sophomore Christopher Wilson and freshman Charlie Acquisto represented Country Day. Senior Riya Rampalli couldn’t attend the meet as she was taking a test.
Coach Nick Domich said that the cross-country team’s size varies year to year and that last year he had 10 boys compared to this year’s total of three runners. Due to the team members’ busy schedules, they haven’t participated in the previous five meets.
Wilson and Acquisto both ran the boys’ two-mile freshman and sophomore race, finishing with times of 17:05 (19th of 25 racers) and 17:40 (22nd), respectively.
Domich said he was proud of them for completing the race in the 90-degree heat but that they could have done better.
Wilson said he was gratified that he pushed himself to keep running.
Wilson, who is better at sprinting, said he needs to improve his endurance running.
Acquisto said that he was happy he completed his first high school race but needs to improve on everything.
“Like all runners,” Domich said, “they will improve by putting in more miles and picking up the pace.”
The two athletes said the intense heat tired them out quickly.
“It made everyone slower and really wore them down,” Wilson said.
Domich agreed.
“It’s a tough sport, especially on days like this,” Domich said.
Their next meet, the Capital Cross Challenge, is on Sept. 30, at 11 a.m. at the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex.
—By Larkin Barnard-Bahn
