After a season without CCS or a state meet, Paly Cross Country is back and ready for one of their most difficult, yet rewarding seasons. Being the first full cross country season since the Covid-19 pandemic, the young team of dedicated runners is looking to shock CCS and showcase their leadership following a CVAL championship win in the Spring of 2021. 

“This season I am looking forward to strong competition at invitationals and regular meets because last year due to Covid, we mostly just raced around schools instead of courses,” Studdert (‘23) said.“It was sad not competing in CCS last year because we had such a strong squad that was mostly seniors, but I am looking forward to seeing what we can do at CCS this year.”

Cross country has historically been one of the strongest athletic programs in Paly’s long history, with many athletes from the program running collegiately Expectations have always been high and in a year in which young stars have since transformed to seniors, it’s up to them to solidify Paly cross country as a force to be reckoned with.. 

“Our goal is to win CCS. Plain and simple. If we work as a team, above all else, it’s doable. We’ve got to do that on race day,” Jimmy Miller (‘22) said.

Looking ahead, Paly has a long season of meets ahead of them as they prepare for CCS, with the first meet taking place September 11 at Golden Gate Park. 

“What I’m most looking forward to about racing this fall is racing together,” Miller said. We’re an incredibly deep team, and if we race as one team, we’ll win as one as well.”

The team’s younger members also look to assert themselves as top runners in CCS. Sophomore Grant Morgenfeld, had one of the fastest mile times in all of cross country as a freshman, running a jaw dropping 4:25. This is only one star among a strong roster of young runners ready for the CCS experience. Follow along for the ride as this season is sure to be one for the books.