The Glenbard West Girls Cross Country Team just wrapped up their 2024 season with a phenomenal finish by making it into the IHSA All State Finals for the 20th time since the program began in 1978. With the guidance of Coach Hass and Coach Staron, the girls were able to place 23rd in state overall with Junior runner Alexa Novak holding an impressive time of 17:22 for 3 miles and with that, a top 25 spot in state.
According to the top runner, Alexa Novak, state was an enjoyable experience for her and the rest of the team, even as they battled brilliantly through the inconvenient rain storm that occurred the day of. She notes that, despite the rainy conditions, “[they] all did their best” and had a “good turnout in the end.”
When asking Coach Hass what it meant to him as a coach seeing his runners make it to state, he selflessly replied that he “just wants to see the kids achieve their best” and “enjoy the experience of running a state meet”. He hopes that by running in such a high-energy race, they will “get a taste for it and will want to continue striving for that again and again.”
The runners can attribute much of their success to the tactics that the coaches emphasized throughout the season and leading up to state that ultimately led them through such a rewarding season. In regards to mentality, Alexa explains that Coach Hass and Coach Staron both highlighted the importance of remaining positive even in tough situations by keeping positive thoughts at the forefront of their minds, along with having trust in their training, what they’ve learned, and knowing that they’re prepared for the moment and have all they need to succeed.
Looking at their physical preparations throughout the season, the coaches started the runners off with lower mileage training and implemented lots of speed workouts. Through this, they gradually built up endurance, focused on improving their race pace, and finishing strong, which ultimately paid off as the team used this to surpass other teams in races, hold impressive times, and attain leading positions.
Coach Hass notes that many of the seniors running this year had “some of their best seasons yet” which can only be a product of the determination and effort that they’ve put into this season.
With a closing remark, Hass states that they “ran the best [they] could with what [they] had” as hurdling illness and missing athletes was a main struggle of the season; they managed to pull off an impressive feat at state. Hass adds that he “hopes the state experience propels the runners forward” to continue putting in that work for next season now that they’ve seen what they’re fully capable of.
Evaluating the season as a runner, Alexa claims that it was very exciting and feels that she, along with the rest of the team, “grew a lot in running” and in creating a close knit community between them by “meeting new people.”
In a bittersweet end, saying goodbye to so many senior teammates and an all-around amazing season, she claims that “[they] are all going to miss it,” but will continue to cherish the memories and growth they’ve experienced, knowing that their hard work and dedication this season have left a lasting impact on the program and certainly paid off.
