Instead of relaxing over Thanksgiving break, Coronado’s varsity women’s cross country team traveled to Arizona to compete in the Nike Cross Country Southwest Regional Meet, held in Casa Grande, AZ.  The Cougar varsity squad and Lauren and Conor Strizich (grades 10 and 12), who accompanied the team and ran as individuals, competed against teams and individuals from Colorado, Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. Facing fierce competition, a fast course, and what they thought would be ideal conditions-including a near 5,000 foot drop in elevation, many members of the team expected to shatter their previous personal 5k records.

On race day the Cougars brought on the heat, but so did the Arizona desert, resulting in times that were good, but not what the team was hoping for. It was a flat, easy course that snaked around a golf course for 3.1 miles and often produces personal records. The team placed 7th out of 27 teams from 4 different states, and their lead runner, senior Chloe Cassens, placed 13th overall with a blazing fast 18:42. “I was really happy with my performance,” said Cassens, adding “it was a fun race to travel for and so, if people didn’t necessarily hit their times, it was okay because it was still a positive experience. It was nice to have everyone down there this year, and to have that support. It was all I could ask for in my final race!” Junior Faith Roth was third on the team with a time of 19:51, not far off her season best. She wants to give the meet another try next year, saying, “I think I would enjoy running there again because it was a good course and I think I could potentially run a faster time, I also think it was a super fun experience taking a trip with my team to a different state to compete and have a great time.”

Both Conor and Lauren Strizich competed and ran personal best times at the meet. “Nike was so much fun!” said Lauren, who set a new personal best by one second with a time of 22:18. “It was a great environment and my team had the greatest attitude. It was one of the fastest courses we ran in the season and I look forward to going back” she added. Her brother Conor also set a new personal best with an impressive 16:41, securing a solid 30th place out of 259 competitors. “I felt really good about the race and I was happy with the way I ended my cross country career. It’s fun racing against people from other areas and Nike is just an overall great experience” said the runner.

Roth said of the experience, “I got to run with my team and we all gave it all we had and did the best we could do, and I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of such a great group of runners and to have them all as friends.” It was a great way for the Cougars to wrap up a successful season, and many of them are looking forward to returning next year.

Congrats to Cougar cross country on a successful finish to their season!