On Saturday, Nov. 7, the York Cross Country teams laced up their shoes and ran the state meet in Peoria. The girls ultimately placed 22nd, and to celebrate their final race, each of the top 12 girls shared their PR’s (personal records) and what they’ve learned this season as a varsity runner.

Elizabeth Hagstrom

PR: 17:31

“The best advice for cross country is that anything is possible if you work for it. I’ve just been really motivated to do my best and to be the best that I can be this season.”

Emily Siegenthaler

PR: 18:27

“I feel this season so far has been very challenging, but it has been a lot of fun. Throughout the season, the pack has gotten a lot closer, and we have all gotten a lot stronger mentally and physically. My teammates and coaches have been really motivating throughout the whole season.”

Erin Davies

PR: 18:21

“The best advice I have for cross country is short term pain for long term gain.  Though running each and every workout is painful and difficult, you always have to remember that it will pay off in the end.  My family, friends, teammates, and coaches have motivated me this past season.”  

Jessica Zellinger

PR: 18:40

“The best advice I’ve gotten is to stay out of my head and not let my nerves prevent me from doing the best I can do, and this season I’ve been motivated by all the other girls and their hard work and determination.”

Bridget Berger

PR: 18:40

“My goal this year is, of course, to break my PR, but also to have fun and enjoy my time on cross country with all the really great people I meet. The best cross country advice I have ever gotten is Schulte’s mantra, ‘My legs are strong, they can go long. The faster I run the sooner I’m done.’ I think it’s motivating.”

Julie Biggins

PR: 18:36

“My best advice from Schulte would be ‘Sometimes you have to be sketchy. There’s a fine line between success and prison.'”

Ellen Fazzio

PR: 18:43

“My goal for the season is to train very hard and efficiently, but to still make sure I have fun and not put too much pressure on myself or the team. The best advice I have gotten for cross country is just to finish. Whether you finish strong with your chest up and a smile on your face because you just broke you PR, or to finish with a huge cramp while you are puking your guts out. As long as you finish the workout or the meet, it’s OK.”

Sarah May

PR: 18:16

“The best advice is simply don’t give up.”

Katherine Tomaska

PR: 18:31

“The best advice I’ve gotten for cross country is to not set limitations on yourself, and also to set a goal and work towards it because the feeling you get after succeeding in a race or workout and reaching your goal is the best. What has motivated me this season would definitely be showing myself that I can keep improving despite setbacks.”

Francesca Mordini

PR: 18:37

“The best advice I’ve gotten is to just go out there and run your hardest and do your best. The girls on the team motivated me by always being positive and so nice and fun.”

Sarah Gutierrez

PR: 18:39

“The best advice I’ve gotten for cross country is to always stretch after and before you run otherwise you will get injured. Something that has motivated me this past season is the feeling you get after you run a hard workout or race no matter how you do you finished and that is a great feeling.”

Haley Weiler

PR: 19:22

“The best advice I’ve gotten for cross country is to just stay positive and enthusiastic about running, especially before a race. It really helps to get you excited about running even if you didn’t want to before. I’ve been motivated most by my coaches and friends to do well in cross country. Having a lot of friends on the team makes it a lot more fun, and gets you super motivated to run your best.”