What started in June was completed on October 26th. From the beginning of summer training, the Elkhorn North Girls cross country team have laced their shoes each day with the mindset “We>Me.”
While adequate training, nutrition, and sleep contributed to their success, the connection amongst the team ultimately won the girls their first state title.
Last year at state, the team finished second to Norris. While success was in sight, the girls spent the next year training together to improve their results.
“Having the same people to train with daily is so comforting,” Senior Avery Melendrez said. “If I am feeling down or unconfident, I know I can rely on my teammates to get me through.”
In races, the girls often begin running in a group. This “pack” is what allows them to begin the race controlled and rely on each other for support and strength as the race progresses. While the girls are competing against each other, each race day they define “We>Me” by racing for each other.
The wolves first implemented the phrase last year and have included it as one of their team’s core values.
Each year the Wolves race on the state course before the state meet at the UNK Invitational. While the Wolves have never won this race before, on Sept. 30, the Wolves beat the reigning champs of the UNK invite [the Norris Titans], with only 4/6 of their usual varsity runners. The UNK invite was a turning point in the Wolves’ season and a turning point in the state rankings. Sophomore Leah Robinson also won her first race on the state course.
For part of the season, both Paityn Christoffels and Ella Ford [two varsity runners] were out due to major injuries and illnesses. Without two of the Wolve’s top runners, the season appeared unpredictable.
Senior Ella Ford was back to run at the EMC conference meet and Christoffels was back to run at districts. For the first time in school history, the Wolves won the conference and beat Norris for the second time in their season. As both athletes returned form their illness and injury later in the season, their individual success was even more impressive.
“After districts where we all placed top ten, I knew we for sure could win state,” Christoffels said.
The Wolves won districts for the fourth time in program history and were on to state.
“Going into state week, I felt confident in my team and in myself,” Melendrez said. “I was a little bit nervous, but I was more like, ok let’s go get it done.”
The Elkhorn North girls cross country team’s accomplishments at state were nothing short of impressive.
Every runner placed within the top 15 and every athlete PR’d [ran a personal record]. The Wolves were the fastest team at state that day and in class B history. The Wolves are now the second-fastest team in state history.
“What sets our team apart is our commitment,” Christoffels said. “We are all so committed to running, and we try our hardest every day.”
While each athlete put in the physical work and training to be successful on state day, the mental training and team bond are what pushed each runner across the line with an average time of 19:13.
“Our consistency and training is what helped us win,” Senior Anna Ripley said. “It was also just believing in each other and having a positive mindset. “We just stayed confident in our abilities and teammates’ abilities to run the race right.”
“I believe the reason we won state was our team connection and just how close we are with each other,” Robinson said.
Next year the wolves will lose 4/6 members of their state team. While there are daunting shoes to fill, Christoffles is optimistic for another successful season.
“We have such a good atmosphere,” Christoffels said. “We all go through so much together and it [running] just bonds us every day.”
The welcoming and positive environment of cross country radiates from each Elkhorn North runner.
“Our team is truly loving, and everyone is so close,” Robinson said. “We have a really good community.”
The mindset of “We>Me” defines what it means to be a part of the Elkhorn North girls cross country team. The Wolves state championship is a testament to their unwavering dedication to the sport and each other. Their victory is a celebration of the Wolve’s hard work, discipline, and value of teamwork.
