The cross country team raced at Crystal Springs in Belmont for the final league meet of the season. In this specific race, which took place on Oct. 30, every senior ran on varsity regardless of their previous position.
The varsity boys placed fourth and were led by sophomore Rohan Choudhury, who ran a time of 16:51. Along with him in the lead for MVHS were junior Zachary Patti and freshman Brent Mogensen in a close finish in front of junior Anand Rao and senior Jeffrey Harrison. The first three runners for MVHS finished within seven seconds of each other, displaying the use of their season-long strategy of pack running . However, the boys’ performance just barely qualified them for CCS. In addition to Rao, Patti and Mogensen, juniors Steven Lim and John Hsiao and senior Ajay Rajamani will also be representing the MVHS boys.
The varsity girls, favorites going into the meet, fought injury as freshman Madeleine Yip, one of MVHS’ top runners, was pulled out of the race due to a cramp. Despite this, the Matadors took second place, behind Homestead High School, with strong races by sophomores Jenny Xu and Julia Chang, junior Bridget Gottlieb, freshman Anna Hsiao and junior Kirsten Do.
During his last rigorous high school race, cross country captain senior Vikrant Marathe had his mind on other things.
“When I was going over the top of Cardiac Hill, I was just thinking of everything like over the past four years just flashing through my head, and I just decided to no matter what happens, I was just going to kill myself out there and I think I did that,” Marathe said.
For many seniors, this race was their last meet on a high school cross country team.
“I think the team did great. We had the top two finishers in boys and top two finishers in JV girls, so we won that overall. Varsity girls were already expected to do really good, so they stayed with that,” Marathe said.
After competing as teammates for four years, seniors Catalina Huang and Diana Liu agree that they will miss team bonding traditions more than anything else. As they talk, Huang finishes Liu’s sentences.
“I’ll miss the sleepovers, teepeeing, night runs and the people,” Liu said.
“Also, the atmosphere, running with friends and just the traditions,” Huang added.
However, for some, it will not just be the traditions they miss.
“I’m going to miss wearing short shorts without people judging me,” senior Ryan Ke said jokingly.
