AUGUSTA — Telstar Middle School XC Team-Small but Mighty Crushes it at the CAL (Capitol Area League) Invitational!

When one thinks of fall sports, football, soccer, and perhaps field hockey come to mind but, for 5 boys and 3 girls at Telstar Middle School, fall means cross country running. Roots, rocks, and the ever-growing layer of colorful leaves covering the trails, prickers, loose rocks, and mud puddles are all part of the challenge. Measuring cadence is left on the track where each footstep is the same; running in the woods is a lesson in dynamic movements and concentration, where uphills challenge your lungs, balanced with the need to stay in control on downhills.

All but one runner came to the team never having run cross country.  The runners had eight days of pre-season before their first meet.  It was at home on their own turf that the team started the journey that has each runner getting faster, fitter, and loving hills.

The girl’s race also provided a lesson in sportsmanship where confusion with the lead runner being misdirected during a close finish gave the other girl an advantage, changing the outcome. The two girls, who have enjoyed a friendly rivalry since last spring, elected to share the podium as co-champions. Mallory Raymond shares the number one spot with Scout Woodcock of Spruce Mountain. Parker Gilman had a strong finish of 34th and Ceci Ross crossed the finish line 40th out of 54 runners.

While the top runners have received much attention for winning, they are part of a team and the camaraderie shared by all will extend beyond the trails. They run together; learn together; share music together; they are all good sports. They have been invited to run once more at the Winthrop Invitational on October 26. They hope to keep the momentum going before turning in their uniforms and getting ready for winter sports.