On October 30th, sophomores Kenzie Bush, and Olivia Cook ran in the Colorado State Cross Country Meet in Colorado Springs. Bush placed 63rd and Cook placed 83rd out of 157 total participants. 

 “They definitely ran well, I was not disappointed. Kenzie had a rougher start in her race,” head coach Brian Simpson said.  “Olivia took almost a minute and fifteen seconds off her time from the last time when we ran that course in August, but she got stuck in the beginning of her race. And so I felt pretty good about them and their ability to go [to State], and do good things.”

Both Cook and Bush had a hard time running at State as the race began. Both MHS runners found themselves boxed in by the large crowd of runners, and had a difficult time breaking free from the pack. The first hairpin turn of the course was particularly rough as the crowd slowed to almost a complete stop. When Bush hit the mile marker, and saw her time she was not pleased with how slow it was, but tried to pick up her pace.

 “I didn’t perform my best at State, but in the time being, I did my best for the circumstances. Although I didn’t perform as well as I wanted to it was by far the most fun race and time being there,” said Bush. “This year I was very surprised in how well I did. I didn’t expect to have such an amazing season.”

Bush hit multiple personal records this season and in two races she ran the 5k course in less than 20 minutes. She also placed top 10 in every single one of her races this season. 

 “State definitely wasn’t my best race; I didn’t feel like I pushed myself as much as I usually do and I got stuck behind a lot of people for the first mile, but I went and raced so I’m okay with it. I’m just glad I got to go,” said Cook, “ This season I definitely improved and pushed myself harder that last season. I’m excited to see how much better I get next season and where it takes me.”
     Cook’s best time this season was a 20 minutes and 10 seconds in the 5k 

Next, Cook is going to work on summer training and is going to do Track in the spring and try to get better at shorter distance running. And for Bush, she will play basketball next, she chose to take a break off for a week to let her body heal but she is going to pick it up very soon. Both Bush and Cook can’t wait to see where the next cross country season takes them.