Cross country started this season with high expectations, with the goal being to qualify for regionals. The boys and girls teams had their first meet at Tradewinds Park on Aug. 30, as well as two meets afterwards at Quiet Waters on Sept. 6, and again at Tradewinds Park on Sept. 13.

As the most recent meet, the boys team finished third out of eight schools, and the girls finished fourth out of five.

“Some of my favorite moments were last year and in ninth grade when our team advanced to regionals, and I definitely anticipate it to happen again this year,” senior captain Ethan Del Campo said. “I definitely want to see that happen again, we have a strong team.”

Del Campo finished seventh out of 69 boys at the Sept. 13 meet with a time of 19 minutes, 47.50 seconds on the 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) course. Senior Jonah Bennett (18:55.10), sophomore Gabe Werth (21:41.60), sophomore Aiden Torres (23:02.10) and senior Alec Fernandez-Posse (24:30.50) also placed for the boys.

The team is coached by the husband-and-wife duo of Darius and Corey  Brown in their fourth season.

“Cross country rocks,” Corey Brown said. “I would encourage everyone to pick up running as a sport; it’s therapeutic, it’s great aerobic conditioning and it’s a base for all sports.”

Del Campo said the cross country teams don’t receive the respect they deserve.

“People often look down on cross country, meanwhile, cross country is one of the hardest sports out there,” Del Campo said. “Not only are you pushing yourself, you’re pushing it for the team.”

Districts are scheduled for 5 p.m., Oct. 18, at South County Regional Park.