Congratulations are in order as the Benet Boys and Girls Cross Country teams had a successful weekend earlier this month as each team earned new hardware for the trophy case. Both teams took home the title as the ESCC Cross Country Champions in their respective races. This was the Benet Boy’s 23rd consecutive Varsity title and their 11th consecutive Frosh/Soph title. It was also the Benet Girl’s 26th non-consecutive Varsity title and their 20th non-consecutive Frosh/Soph title. The meet was hosted by Benet Academy on campus, and nine schools, including Benet, participated. There were six races in total, including a Frosh/Soph boys race, a Frosh/Soph girls race, a Varsity boys race, a Varsity girls race, an Open boys race, and an Open girls race. 

The 3-mile race was a non-traditional cross-country course with a mix of grass and pavement. The gun sounded on the soccer field near Yackley and runners chased a golf cart down the grass. From there the runners made their way to the far southwestern portion of the parking lot before doing a U-turn. Runners then found their way to the back practice fields. After doing a perimeter of the fields, they made the journey back to the front soccer field. They completed the same route to the back practice fields before coming in to finish down the “majestic” Benet Drive. The view was surreal as runners, surrounded by trees filled with fall colors, kicked towards the finish line. 

Individual results were amazing as Benet took home the first-place spot in 5 out of the 6 races. Finn Richards (‘25) won first place in the Varsity Boys Race with a time of 15:35.4. Louisa Diamond (‘23) placed first in the Varsity Girls Race with a time of 17:35.2. Griffin Schneid (‘25) seized first place in the Frosh/Soph Boys Race. Grace Andringa won first in the Open Girls Race and Matt Spellman (‘24) won first in the Open Boys Race. 

Finn Richards and Louisa Diamond were named the 2022 ESCC Cross Country Players of the Year. Benet Cross Country Coaches, Kevin Renicker and Katie Paski were honored as the 2022 ESCC Cross Country Coach of the Year in their respective divisions. 

Both teams now have their eyes set on Regionals, Sectionals, and State as they look to add to the trophy case.