By Anwita Puttam – Staff Reporter

The Jonathan Law girls cross country team had a very successful season this fall.

The team members all improved their individual times as the season went on, and the team average continued to drop as well.

“The biggest highlight of this year was the meet at Notre Dame when everyone ran their best time,” Head Coach Mr. Schulte said. “Our biggest  achievement was bonding as a team and supporting each other.”

Senior captain Alana Pires said she was proud of the team’s accomplishments and how they were able to make many new bonds.

“I’m thankful that it happened but glad it’s over; I feel a lot more relieved now,” Pires said. “It was challenging running with a knee injury but I was happy to spend four years running for an amazing team.”

Pires and fellow Senior Captain Skye Hamilton have finished off their final year of cross country.

“Being a part of this team these past four years has truly been a significant part of my life,” Hamilton said.“ It will be an adjustment to have to run alone again, but I’m very grateful that I was able to be on such a great team.”

Junior Dulce Paz Gomez was a standout for Law all season and posted the team’s best times.

“Dulce led the team in every meet with the best times,” Schulte said.

Gomez’s times averaged 24 to 25 minutes per race.

“I also wish to improve my time and help girls with feeling confident with running,” Gomez said.. “I think it’s really important to not just help myself get better but everyone else around me.”

This year, seven girls on the cross country team qualified for States: Gomez, Pires, Hamilton, junior Sophia Wang, sophomore Sam Mayugba, sophomore Alivia Kaplavka, and freshman Breana Aquino.

Aquino is the only freshman on the girls cross country team to be qualified for states this year.

“I was honestly pretty surprised once Schulte announced that I was getting into States,” Aquino said. “I was the only freshman on the team, and it kind of baffled me, but at the same time, I sort of knew that I had the chance if one of the other girls gotten injured and such.”

Aquino’s average time for the cross country races was 28 to 29 minutes. She also continuously has the best running time out of all the freshmen. 

“Despite all the practices I’ve had to endure, and sometimes thinking I wanted to give up as a whole,” Aquino said. “I’m definitely planning on continuing this sport for all four years.”