Jefferson’s varsity cross country team placed first and second overall for boys and girls, respectively, in the Oct. 28 National District Championships. 

During the meet, Jefferson competed against their district opponents: Annandale, Falls Church, Hayfield, John R. Lewis, Justice, Mount Vernon, and Thomas Edison High Schools.

“Before the meet, there was some pressure because we knew we had a chance at winning, but it was going to be close so it was the most important meet of the season. But, we were focused and were united as a team, after many meets where not all of us could make it,” senior Jeremy West said.

 The stakes were high, but the runners were eager to give it their all.

“I felt really energized during the meet,” sophomore Aurora Zary said. “We’ve been working really hard during the whole season, but we started to taper before and it was really nice to go out and compete for something that really mattered.” 

West, who placed fifth out of 69 runners, almost didn’t manage to make the spot. 

“My shoe actually became untied after the first mile of the race, but I kept focused, hoped my shoe would not fall off, and kept running my race. A good mentality is as crucial as physical fitness in racing well, so I was glad the loose shoe didn’t throw me off,” West said.

After the race, the boy’s team knew they had a good chance of winning the meet.  

“Almost everyone got PRs [personal records]. We did win, but we only got first by three points which is extremely close. Every place mattered,” West said.

The girl’s team placed second overall. Zary attributes this to senior Irene Williams, who joined the team this year.

“We did better because Irene kinda carried everyone. With her, our average time was a whole minute faster,” Zary said.

This meet was the finale of the season.

“As a whole, this was the best TJ had done in any meet. As I said before, in most of the other meets at least a couple of people were not there. But for this meet, everyone was there and ready to go, and we did great,” West said.