Cross Country team prepares to break limits

By Siddharth Bharadwaj ‘24

The Wardlaw + Hartridge cross country team is gearing up for the climax of their season as they set their sights on the upcoming New Jersey Prep State Championships.

Through the rigorous training led by Coaches Rick Riepl and Jamaal Burden, the cross country team has been able to continually surpass their personal bests working through the season’s first five meets leading up to the championships. Unlike the prior two years, in which the pandemic created special obstacles, the team is looking to achieve their fullest potential in spite of some snags.

Coach Riepl expressed that, “About a third of the team is either plagued by injuries or still trying to get into racing shape. The rest of the squad continues to work hard with hopes of success at the end of the season.”

Under the leadership of the two team captains, Nate Bravo ‘23 and Vineeth Reddy‘ 23, the cross country team continues to work hard to excel in the upcoming meets. At the Magee Memorial Class Meet, Vineeth established a new personal best time of 19:40.90, placing him in the top 50 of all participants.

“It really means a lot being only the seventh person in school history, to get a sub 20 time,” Vineeth said. “I remember crossing the line and thinking to myself I finally did it, after spending my whole junior year so close to achieving the time, but not getting there. It really is something to now finally have it.”

Continuing to achieve high results in competitions, the W+H cross country team is preparing for upcoming meets such as the GMC Divisional Championship and the NJISAA Prep State Championships. For these spirited runners, no obstacles or setbacks can stop them from continuously improving.

Once the season comes to a close, most of the cross country team members will continue their momentum by moving over to the track and field team in winter and spring.