Cross Country Speeds to State
November 29, 2016
The CPHS girls cross country team finished off their Regional meet in second place, qualifying for state, which took place on Nov. 12. A member of the boys team, senior Tyler Grendel qualified for state as well as an individual. He competed with the girls team who consisted of Sarah Pia, Candy Conde de Frankenberg, Brea Givens, Nicole Driskell, Sophia Roach, Lina Allick, Gracie Hall and Jaida Lyles. Although the team had the privilege to advance to state, their performances were not up to par, according to senior Candy Conde de Frankenberg.
“I don’t think we did our best at state,” Conde de Frankenberg said. “But we were given the opportunity to run which was a great experience for everyone, and I couldn’t have made it there without my whole team.”
The team worked hard all season to get to state, which required them to get up in the early hours of the morning multiple times a week.
“We prepared for those two races all season,” Conde de Frankenberg said. “From June all the way up to July, we practiced six times a week. The training was hard and tiring at times, and waking up at 6:30 a.m. wasn’t my favorite thing, but it was definitely worth it. All the hard work paid off.”
A number of personal records (PR) were made by some of the runners, which benefited the team as well as the individuals.
“Overall this was definitely my best season,” senior Brea Givens said. “I ran a new PR in the 5K. And this season was one of the varsity’s best seasons because most people set their PR’s this year, and there was a great bond between them.”
Senior Tyler Grendel said he was proud to represent Cedar Park at state by being the only boy to advance and he agreed with Frankenberg and Givens that it was a successful season.
“I felt proud to be able to represent Cedar Park,” Grendel said. “At the same time I was sad that my teammates couldn’t join me because they had put so much hard work in. I think our team did a great overall this season after coming back from such a disappointing season last year and got back to work and gave it our best.”