This year’s Cross Country season will be one to remember. With some of the fastest times ever run, placing on the podium at the league championship, and runners pushing through tough workouts all season long, this year’s team was absolutely phenomenal.
On the girls side, the team performed fantastically and destroyed every goal that was set out for them. “Honestly, the girls squad was the heart of our team this year,” Coach Blake McDowall said. He continued, saying,“They raced with so much courage, especially at the end of the season, and proved that a small-but-mighty group can punch way above its weight.” The compassion and support the girls had for each other and the rest of the team was instrumental to the success of the squad. “Everyone’s positive attitude was a major reason for our team’s growth this season,” Coach Carole Hakstian says. The joy that was spread on the girl’s side was infectious and crafted a team bond worth remembering. Hakstian quotes with pride, “The girls’ team showed tremendous dedication all season long.” Their efforts paid off with a 3rd place at NBLs – an improvement over last year’s 4th place – in an especially competitive Oak Division.
Leading the girls team this year was a strong trio of high-level runners, composed of Team Captain Emma Wenzel James, Varsity Captain Miriam Hall, and freshman Soleil Vanden Heuvel. “The team was guided by exceptional leadership from team captain [Wenzel James], who set a high standard in both practice and competition,” Hakstian said. Wenzel James’ courage, love and determination to make the team reach their goals and exceed them went above and beyond. The Varsity squad this year consisted of Bea Katz, Priya Duong, Azalie Curran Flores, Harmonee Dannewitz and Nylah Hudgens. The girl’s team was rounded out by the incredible JV team, Adelaide Ower, Anna Blanco-Roberson, Elia DelMonte, Haley Dahm, Isabella Hernandez and Savannah Draper. Both the Varsity and JV Girl’s teams this year were packed with incredible athletes who brought energy, consistency, and confidence.
Over to the boys team, they had what could only be described as a stellar season. “This is the best boys team that Analy has ever seen,” McDowall stated with confidence. “It was the deepest and fastest boys team in Analy history, and they raced like they really believed in each other…they were really fast and really fun. Hard to ask for more.”
The team, led by Team Captain Owen Dawson and Varsity Captain Logan Dickson, set a new school record for total team time on the Spring Lake course, and placed 2nd at the North Bay League Championships, competing against some of the best teams in the entire North Coast. Jack Stoumen, a freshman, ran the fastest freshman time ever on the course by any school, covering the course in a blazing time of 15:40. In addition to Stoumen, Quince Holman, a senior, rounded out the top four that led the team through every race. Senior Davin Jorgensen, juniors Choegyal and Songtsen Hergenrather, sophomores Jeffery Gonsalves and Jackson Tommila rounded out the boys Varsity squad.
As well as the talented Varsity crew this year, the JV team was also very successful. Hakstian notes that “the team relied on a talented crew of newcomers and returners for depth and reliable points,” and they truly thrived. Congrats to the entire 2025 JV boys squad: Aidan Berg, Amani Malisa, Anders Brenden, Benji Hegedus, Brayden MacQuarrie, Calvin Gonnella, Cody Gunzburg, Eli Mortensen, Griffen Campbell, Isaac Garcia, Isaiah Almaguer, Jack McCloud, Kosuke Cugini, Lawson Gaylord, Luke McKnight, Milo Baptista, Owen Eggleston, Rowley Morgan, Sebastian Alvarez, Skyler Freedenburg and Valerian Postiglione.
The coaches this year found achievement, change, and future goals all within reach. The support of coaches expanded this year, with Brian Gaylord and Analy mathematics teacher Johnathon Lopez joining the team as assistant coaches to help out Hakstian and McDowall. Gaylord and Lopez brought support, motivation, and positive energy to the team. All of the coaches this year were a vital part of making the team feel like family. The athletes were very thankful for everything they have done to support and coach them throughout the season.
Cross Country is not for the weak. The workouts were tough. The team pushed through competitive tri-meets against some of Analy’s biggest rivals, hill repeats, time trials, tempo-runs, and intense weather. But they seemed to pull through with grit and determination, closing out one of the best seasons Analy has seen. Everyone can agree though that the part that made the harsh running conditions and workouts worth persevering through was the supportive team spirit. Above the astonishing times and podium successes, McDowall writes, “This group made cross country a place where people wanted to be. When runners believe in each other, the fast times basically coach themselves.”
Running cross country is not just about how hard you can push yourself or how fast you can run, it is also about how much you can improve. This team improved in many ways over the course of the season, but one of the most important changes was in the way the team approached workouts and long runs. Coach Blake McDowall remarked that “Athletes learned to pace workouts based on their purpose instead of pushing hard every time… and [they] stayed dialed in on the details such as stretching, strength training, hydration and proper fueling.” Cross country is not just about running as fast as you can, you have to know how fast to run in order to improve the most.
The future looks bright for this group of runners, and the generations of runners to come. Looking ahead the team hopes to grow State Championship appearances and big race titles. Building on the hard work they’ve poured into this season, they start to get excited and work towards establishing the teams that will lead us forward. McDowall quotes, “We want to keep building depth, expand the team, and create a culture that lasts long after any of us coaches are gone.” while Hakstian says, “Looking ahead, the team’s goal is to keep building on the foundation we’ve established over the past few years. That means continuing to develop, grow stronger, gain experience, improve meet by meet and show up for one another.”
Needless to say, if you are looking for a place to challenge yourself, build lifelong memories, and be a part of an epic program that innovates growth and success, Analy’s Cross Country team is waiting for you. Coach Carole says, “It’s a chance to challenge yourself, grow stronger, build confidence and be part of a team that works hard and has fun together. You’ll meet kind and supportive teammates, make friends, and discover just how much you’re capable of when you commit to the work. No matter your experience level, there’s a place for you on this team.”
