With the lights beaming down and 8,000 other runners alongside them, the cross country team lines up at the start.
The cross country team competed in the Nike XC Town Twilight Invitational this month on Oct. 4. The Nike Twilight Cross Country meet is the largest race the team competes in during their season. The two day long event features 14 different races for athletes to compete in.
“Nike Twilight was different from other meets because it was so much more exciting to me because there were a lot of people to compete with and pace off. You have a lot of adrenaline while running because there is so much going on like the music,” freshman Izzy George said.
The most significant part of the meet is that it takes place in the dark.
“Nike Twilight is unique from other meets because we race at night and everyone has high spirits and gets super hyped for this race. I prefer Nike Twilight over other meets because it is more exciting and running in the pitch black under the glow of lights creates an unforgettable experience,” junior Kate Hankins said.
For the team, Nike Twilight is the race that the runners look forward to the most, as they get a chance to compete on the LaVern Gibson state cross country course.
“My race could have been better because I injured my hip, but if I had not gotten injured it would have been a great course. I did, however, enjoy being able to watch my teammates do their race on the course, especially Charlie because it was one of the first times I got to see her compete in a race, and I am so proud of her,” George said.
Injuries were not the only troubles the team faced during the meet.
“One moment which was not the best, but is unforgettable, is on the bus ride to the meet our bus broke down and so we had to wait on the hot bus for about an hour.
While this may seem not enjoyable, the team tried to make the most of it and the boys were blasting music trying to raise team spirits,” Hankins said.
Despite transportation difficulties, the team was still very eager to compete.
“I prefer Nike Twilight over other meets just because of everything about it. From the bus ride there to the bus ride back, it is just fun at all times and the course goes by so fast. Everyone is glowing or has lights on while they run, we put glitter in our hair and paint on us too. No other meets feel so fun,” senior Marin Burton said.
The runners participate in several team traditions, such as jersey swapping.
“We do this thing called jersey swapping, so I went up to one of the team’s tents there, I think it was Bloomington South, and we really liked their jerseys. We asked them if we could do a swap, so we switched jerseys, got a picture, and then switched and I got my jersey back. We kept going around doing that to a bunch of teams, it is just something that cross country does,” senior Grady Havens said.
For the girls, their traditions include making a candy salad on the bus ride home.
“My favorite part from the night was definitely the bus ride home from the meet because the girls team made a collective candy salad. The team did this last year too and so we continued on the tradition because we all really enjoyed it,” Hankins said.
The cross country team views Nike Twilight as a night to remember.
“I tried to capture every moment. My favorite part was taking pictures and videos at the course and on the bus after the races were over,” Burton said.
