The RM cross country team is always an intimidating sight, especially as they barrel down the last stretch of the track, each runner striving to beat their personal best, each runner pushing harder and harder as they near the end. This dual meet was no different, with the team racing to beat Einstein on their home course.

Although Einstein managed to snag the win, RM ran valiantly, especially considering the tough workout the day before, which senior Emily Newcombe described as “the equivalent to running a 5k.” The coaches never put as much emphasis on dual meets such as these because they do not impact the season as much as invitationals do, so there is less of an effort to conserve energy the days before the race.

Despite their tiredness from previous workouts and the pure heat and humidity of the afternoon, RM cross country still managed to run the course with verve. Sophomore Nefret El-Masry describes the course as enjoyable, saying “I really like this course because it has both uphill, downhill, and flat [portions]… all over the neighborhood.” The course involves the tough hill behind the RM tennis courts as well as a run past the baseball field and through the neighborhood.

Contrary to popular belief, cross country is a sport full of strategy. The number one prospect in the state, junior Rohann Asfaw, described his strategy, explaining “I just stuck with the leader for the first two miles and sort of the last mile, the last hill, I took off and brought it home.” It is careful planning like this that allows the RM team to excel throughout the year.

“Dual meets are about improving,” junior Xochi Cartland explains. “It’s just about going out there and running and trying to get the best time you can get. It’s just you against the course, it’s not really about competing, it’s about doing better.”

Photo provided courtesy of md.milesplit.com