Runners change out of their uniforms as the seasons change.

Along with other fall sports, this cross-country season for runners at East has come to a finish.

Members among the team have performed exceptionally well this year. Only a few of the runners are leaving. Many hope to return for the following cross-country season next fall.

This time for athletes has proved to be a success for many members on the cross-country team. “It has gone a lot better than previous years since I’ve gotten a lot better this year,” said junior Meredith Thornsberry.

Senior Lauren Masden, not officially on the team, competed alongside East this season in order to prepare herself for the upcoming spring sport of track. Performing well for her first year racing with a cross-country team. “Running cross was a good experience for me because it helped develop my strength, mentally and physically. In track I only run a half-mile,  but in cross-country I had to run 3.2 miles, it was very difficult for me but made me tougher. Cross-country wasn’t always fun but it was worth it,”  said Masden.

Masden and Malikhi Ly-Hughes are the only seniors on the team, and will not be competing with East in the next fall season.

The two members on the team to make it all the way to state this year was sophomores Abigail Clarkson and Lindsey Spencer. From this season “I took away the fact that even though I didn’t run three times…I worked hard and sometimes that’s all you can ask for,” said Spencer. Both of the girls plan on being a part of cross-country team again next year.

Sophomore Cole Davenport first time cross-country runner has had a lot of improvement from his first race of the season to his last. “I met a large majority of my goals I hope to improve even more next year and run faster than this year a lot of work equals running faster,” said Davenport.

Sophomore Josh Wetzel was a big star this year on the team producing fast times in almost every race. “I learned a lot this year, mostly about how it is necessary to be consistent with your times. I hope next year to be much better than I was this year,” said Wetzel.

As cross-country is a sport that requires a lot of time, dedication, focus and commitment sophomore Jerome Dela Cruz still seems to find a favorite part. “The finish, seeing everyone cheering me on, then finishing and seeing my time and being not satisfied but pleased with how I did,” said Dela Cruz. He along with all of the other sophomore boys hope to continue running cross-country in the years to come.