As both JV and varsity cross country prepared for the fast approaching district meet, they also held hopes of making it past districts and onto regionals. With a large set of underclassmen, the team saw this season as a way to improve going forward.

“I definitely see regionals in the future,” senior team captain Luke Warthen said. “I think this is the best team we’ve had in like five years.”

From the teams first 5k at the Vista Ridge Invitational and up to now the team has seen lots of progress and improvement.

“I think the team has improved, there’s been a lot of [personal records] and as a team we’re a lot closer with JV and Varsity,” junior Gabrielle Bartlett said. “The community helps with progress, having someone behind you to cheer for you definitely helps with a sense of community and overall attitude.”

This season is also ending with the team holding high hopes for the future of cross country at McNeil.

“I see regionals and possibly state in our future but I don’t know, this year is more about rebuilding,”  junior captain Peyton Trost said. “But I’m super excited to see how the end of this season turns out and how next season goes.”