Cross Country – Not Cross at All

16 January 2021Blanca G, Captain, Allard ‘21

Rain or shine, pandemic or no pandemic, the Cross Country program advanced this term. Some of our highlights included conquering the treacherous hills of Mount Tzouhalem, running the demanding loop at Rat Lake and doing many laps around our beautiful campus. The program radiates a contagious energy of joy, which can be seen on its members’ friendly faces as they bound through the trails and forests around Mill Bay.

This year’s program included the most students the program has had in many years, and it is undoubtedly because of the inclusive and warm-hearted environment created by the students and coaches. The program wouldn’t be the same or nearly as fun without Mr Skardal, Mrs Reynolds and our new coach from New Zealand, Mr Mullin. Mr Skardal is always ready to assign an official trail name or lead the intermediate group on a top-secret run. Mrs Reynolds controls the time during our rigorous and seemingly never-ending abs workouts. Mr Mullin made a tremendous impact on our advanced groups training this term with his intense speedwork sessions and long runs.

The team started the term by seeking refuge from the forest fire smoke within a multi-purpose room to play Mrs Reynolds’ and Mr Skardal’s "fun" deck of doom that left many members aching with pain in the following days. Our next challenge tested the team’s creativity in creating new routes around the Brentwood campus during the weeks of Camp Brentwood. For the first time in over a decade, the Interhouse Cross Country competition made its way back, giving our team the responsibility to create the route and marshal the event.

The first term is typically the competitive season for cross country. This year, there are no in-person competitions due to Covid-19, but the team did participate in a virtual competition held on the Rat Lake loop. Seventeen team members participated in the BC School Sports Cross Country Pandemic Challenge and logged some impressive times over the 3K and 5.5K courses. The team would like to congratulate Joshua A, Collin F, Will M, and Neve M for finishing in the top 20 of their respective cohorts and Evan M, Katelyn M, Emily N, Milla W, and Abayah H for all finishing in the top 50 of this competition.

I am grateful to have the opportunity to work alongside my coaches to give back to this fantastic community while also having had the privilege of getting to know each of my wonderful team members. It’s what makes this program unique!

Blanca G, Captain, Allard ‘21

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