By: Quinn Hathaway

Media Production

The LGHS cross country teams officially concluded their respective seasons on Nov. 29. Training for the sport began in July and spanned all the way to California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) states several days after Thanksgiving, and included many achievements, memories, and team joy.

The LGHS Varsity Cross Country team went to Central Coast Section (CCS) finals on Nov. 15, boasting a total of sixteen runners, with seven boys and seven girls racing along with two alternates. The CCS race took place at Crystal Springs, a course that the entire team had run several times prior during the regular league season. Both the girls and the boys raced in the Division 2 race, facing schools such as Mountain View, Archbishop Mitty, Branham, and Lynbrook. Junior Peter Malone placed first out of the LGHS boys with a time of 16:04.0, closely followed by sophomore Finn Allan at 16:06.9 and senior Evan Corral with 16:16.6. Junior Piper Pyle led the LGHS girls team, placing 15th with her time of 18:58.0 and qualifying for CIF. Junior Elise Greenstreet, came a close second with a time of 19:49.9.

CIF States occurred in Fresno on Nov. 29, with Pyle representing LGHS. She stated that her main goal for state “was to break 19 minutes at Woodward Park, which is a really good cross country course.” Woodward Park is not a course with several very steep hills, nor is it a flat track-like course. It features gradual, rolling hills, a notoriously hard terrain for many runners. Pyle ended with a time of 19:19.7, finishing her first mile in only 5:42.7. Reflecting on the race, Pyle commented: “I had prepared as much as [she] could and just did [her] best.” Several teammates, including Malone and Allan, made the long drive down to Fresno to support Pyle.

According to several runners, the season flew by. Although each week had five days of practice and usually at least one meet, freshman Emi Rizvi felt as though it was not enough, and she wished she had more time with the team. Many athletes agreed that teammates are the best part of cross country, with freshman Stephanie Zhou and Pyle agreeing that their favorite memories were of bonding with the team at pasta feeds and simply spending time with their friends. But Corral had a different cherished moment, explaining, “My favorite memory from this season was probably going down to Irvine with the boys [team] at the ASICS Woodbridge Cross Country Classic.” He spoke highly of the environment, filled with teammates, a nice grass course, and temperate weather. 

With the season officially over, Corral gave some advice as he leaves both LGHS and the sport of cross country this year: “You get as much from the sport as you put into it. It’s just about showing up and being consistent and just putting your best foot forward every single day. But most importantly, it’s about fun.” With not only  fun, but effort and consistency, the 2025 LGHS cross country season is a wrap!