Buckle up, strap on your running shoes and get ready for a journey beyond sidewalks and stadiums. On Nov. 25, the girls cross country team placed seventh in the state. After taking second place at CIFs, the team qualified for the CIFSD state championship in Fresno Calif. Seven girls attended; seniors Tessa Buswell and Avalon Nash, juniors Tori Macintosh and Ally Santavicca, sophomore Madison Li and freshmen Nina Muscat and Aine Sweeney. 

With weight on her shoulders and energy in her stride, Buswell pushes herself for the last stretch of the 5k race. As a seasoned runner, Buswell led the team with a time of 18:04 at state. “My strategy is to not go too fast in the beginning of the race, I like to settle in behind other runners and let them lead. I hang on as long as I can and then try to out kick them in the end,” Buswell said.

For Li, going to state as a first-year cross country member was a milestone. In order to prepare for a successful season, Li and the team began their training in the summer. 

“We did lots of long runs to exercise the lungs and a few mild workouts, but towards the middle of the season we really grinded and endured intense workouts,” Li said.

As they approached race day, the girls started doing two workouts a week, some focused on speed and shorter distances, and others focused on longer reps and tackling hills.

The Titans walked away knowing their hard work and extreme dedication represented Poway High well. “They were in a place only a few high school athletes get to be,” coach Ronald Harris said.