Girls’ cross country nabs best State finish since 2003
The ARHS girls’ cross country team finished yet another spectacular season. They went undefeated in the regular season, winning all of their conference meets. The team had an impressive trophy cabinet for the 2024 season, winning the Western Mass title, State divisionals, and becoming league champs.
On top of these victories, the team also finished second in Division II states, its best State finish since 2003. These victories were led by the seven varsity runners who scored points for the team: seniors Brooke Nedeau, Elizabeth Sawicki, Felix Goeckel, and Skylar Fox; junior Lilly Pope; and freshmen Genevieve Dole and Marit MacDonald. In total, girls’ cross country has 30 members ranging from all grades who all make a difference on the team.
Coaches Ron Jacobs and Elena Betke-Brunswick push the team to be their best selves. They both have unique styles of coaching that complement each other. “Ron Jacobs is our head coach, his approach is very competitive but in a subtle way. He’s very nice and we all respect him,” said senior Maya Tkachenko Coggeshall-Burr. “Elena is our other coach. She has a different approach, she’s like a peer and she goes on runs with us. It’s nice to have a female coach for a female team.” ARHS girls’ cross country alum Lia Cullen also returned as an assistant coach.
Alongside the coaches, many runners on the team take the initiative to help lead. Since there are no captains, all of the seniors step up to share leadership roles and lead the team during warmups. The seniors do what they can to make sure the team is inviting anyone younger than them who wants to join.
What makes the girls’ cross country stand out as a sports team at ARHS is the team’s many achievements and the special environment the group cultivates. There is a sense of community that other teams do not have.
Before the season starts, in August, the team goes on a trip together; they cook, train, and spend time together. The team bonding continues during the season as well. “We have pasta dinners before invitationals. It’s nice to shake out nerves and make sure everyone has a good meal. We have fun runs in the season,” said Tkachenko.
Many practices are also made fun, with special “photo runs” where each grade has its own theme. On their run, each grade takes pictures of their theme and submits them to the coaches. Whichever grade has the best pictures wins. They have the pumpkin run, where they are split into teams and compete to carve the best pumpkins.
The connection to the team doesn’t end when someone graduates; they stay closely connected to their previous teammates. “We have a traditional Thanksgiving Day run for anyone connected to the team–past and present–to walk or run and connect that morning,” said Betke.
