As league finals and CCS approach, the runners on the cross country team are continuing to try to peak at just the right time. At at Santa Clara Valley Athletic League’s (SCVAL) third meet at Baylands Park held on Oct. 21, senior Stephen Law completing the 3.1-mile course at Baylands in 16:35 and sophomore Amit Nag finished seventh, running a 17:10.

SCVAL Finals will take place Nov. 3 and CCS Finals will occur on Nov. 14. Both races will be hosted at Crystal Springs, a course known for its challenging hills. Freshman Sarah Pickard said runners  have improved  their stamina for the longer distance ”flats,” but need to work on hilly courses.

“I'd say we need to improve on running hills, and pacing ourselves during the course, as I know a lot of us have trouble with starting too fast and burning out later in the race,” Pickard said.

According to Nag, one of the 53 runners who clocked a personal record during the first Lynbrook meet, the primary goal for the boys’ team is to return it to state meet this year — a goal they can accomplish by finishing in the top three at CCS — but he said more work is needed.

“Honestly, some people on the team aren’t really trying their best, but the ones who are have significantly improved since the first meet,” Nag said.

Law hopes that the team will participate in more weekend practice runs to improve. According to Law, many people thought the team would fall off significantly after alumnus Steven Sum, a cross country star who consistently placed in states, graduated last spring.

“I don’t want these people to think that [Sum] carried us to states every year,” he said. “Individually, we’re all talented at running and hard-working, and I want to show them that their efforts are going to be paid off.”

Senior varsity runner Nina Nelson said that individual runners are continuing to move toward their personal goals.

“Ultimately, we're all improving,” Nelson said. “Not a lot of us started out as runners, but now we’re athletes that enjoy testing our endurance.”

Nelson said a mile was once a long run for her; these days, she pushes herself to do four. For her, it has been a rewarding experience to motivate herself to be a better runner and athlete.

Despite these  individual improvements, injuries have been holding back the team. Injured runners include Pickard, who sat out the Baylands Park meet, and sophomores Chloe McGhee and Allison Borch, who are both are suffering from ankle pain.

The boys’ team has also been battling to stay strong.

“We’ve had a lot of setbacks with guys getting sick or injured, but in the long run, you can tell we’re getting something done,” Law said.

Due to printing deadlines The Falcon was unable to cover the Oct. 29 meet at Lynbrook.