The Aliso Girls Cross Country team is finishing the season strong with only a couple more meets left to run. They are looking to set personal records and do the best they can with the time they have with each other with the end of the season nearing.
Recently, the girls on varsity have raced in five meets, including the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic, Central Park Invitational and Southern California Invitational.
In the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic, Olivia Foody (12) was the front runner for Aliso, clocking in with a time of 18:29 on a three-mile course at the Great Park. Claire Keller (11) and Camila Abarca (10) were next to finish for the Wolverines with a time of 19:57.9 and 19:58.6 respectively.
The Wolverines finished as a team in the middle of the pack, ranking twelfth out of 28 teams.
In their next meet, the Wolverines competed against 25 other teams in the Central Park Invitational. Olivia Foody consecutively finished first for the Wolverines with a time of 18:08. The Wolverines placed fourteenth out of 26 teams at the Central Park Invitational.
One of the Wolverine runners, Senior Captain Sarina Fusillo, shared how she prepares for a meet throughout the week. “Usually on Monday, we do distance, around seven to nine miles. On Tuesdays, we do intervals on the track or at Foxborough Park. On Wednesdays, we run hills to prepare for elevation. Thursday is the weight room and pool, and Friday is the pre-meet, usually low tempo and some stretching. Saturday is meet day”.
Not only do the girls know how to work hard, they also know how to relax and spend time with one another.
“As far as team bonding we’ve had blanket making during the summer and a pasta dinner a couple weeks ago and will have another one before league finals. On bus rides to and from meets we blast music. It’s a great way for the girls to calm pre-race anxieties and have fun!” Fusillo commented.
Aliso has four more meets to run in this year, with the OC Championships coming up, the infamous Mt. Sac Race, league finals, and CIF Prelims.
Weather is a large factor for the girls when running in a race. With cross country being an outdoor sport, most of the time on rocky terrain, weather plays an immense role in how a race pans out.
Kaylee Carbello (12) gives insight into her ideal running conditions. “Freezing cold weather with no sun and all clouds is ideal”. When asked about what running is like mentally, she explains, “Running isn’t just physical, it’s also mental, so you have to be mentally strong and motivated. You have to be willing to push yourself a little more and be your biggest cheerleader because when it comes down to it, the race is just you and 50 other girls and everyone is your competition.”
The Wolverines are looking to finish the rest of the season on a high note and make many more memories with the time the team still has together.
