The Hanover boys and girls Cross Country teams have started their fall seasons in full stride. Both teams have worked under the training of Coach Brown and Coach McLean through rain, sun, and ninety-degree weather, but have kept their pace up long enough and fast enough to pose as serious competitors in the Patriot League.

As a captain of the Hanover girls Cross Country team, I can fully attest to the hard work of my teammates. So far, the girls have won two meets out of three, including a victory on their 2.5 mile home course Sept. 20. Hanover beat Plymouth South 26-31 (the lowest score wins in cross country). Their other win, a one-point victory, came against Whitman-Hanson Regional High School. In that 5K meet, senior Niamh Kenney led the way for Hanover with a 22:03 time, and sophomore Alyssa Nee followed close behind with 22:13. Their only loss came in a fierce race against Plymouth North High School on September 7, where they fell short by 12 points.

The boys team has  raced superbly against difficult competition, but is still looking for its first win. At the Whitman-Hanson meet, sophomore Nick Courtney led his team with a time of 18:06 and finished fourth in the race. All of the boys have demonstrated commendable effort and seen incredible results.

Last Saturday, the girls and boys raced 2.5 miles up steep hills and across big green fields at the Big Wave XC Invitational meet held at Apponequet Regional High School. All of the runners did exceptionally well, particularly considering how early it still is in the season.

For any Hanover High School students interested, there is still time to join the Cross Country team. Speed and running backgrounds are completely unnecessary; the goal is progress and joining the fight together as a team. Hanover Cross Country has potential this season for serious victory, and each and every runner on the team is an incredible asset for making that success a reality. I have no doubt that the hard work of Hanover’s Cross Country runners will be evident in all of their accomplishments this season.