Time is ticking, and the Freedom cross country team is looking to make every second count. For some students, the year is coming to a close and their final cross country meet looms, putting the pressure on many seniors who look to improve themselves in their final push. As is with every sports team, the loss of seniors can be devastating.

Thankfully, many of Freedom cross country’s younger offerings are quickly closing the gap between themselves and their older counterparts. Whether a student places first or 23rd, improvement can be seen across the board, paving a path toward perfection in their senior year. Students have not only notably improved season to season, but they improve marginally at each meet.

“I have continually improved as the season goes on,” senior Jarrett Boyd said. “I hope to qualify again for the state meet.”

This year is unique compared to many years past, as much of the team’s strength stems from their younger half. With big shoes to fill, many of Freedom’s runners have stepped up. For example, freshman Adam Hessler is on the cusp of qualifying for this year’s state meet, an outstanding achievement for such a young member.

The boys’ team has three wins this season against New Brighton, Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic and Carlynton.

On Oct. 4, the team traveled to their meets vs. Eden Christian Academy, OLSH and Sewickley Academy at Ohio Township Park (Eden’s home course). Freedom’s boys triumphed the 2.8 mile course, scoring 50 points and securing them first overall in all three meets. In their first two team competitions, Freedom defeated Eden 33-24 and also bested OLSH 29-26. They unfortunately faltered in their final competition vs. Sewickley Academy, with Freedom putting up only 21 points to their opponents’ 34. In their individual victories, Boyd and sophomore Myla Sharpless both placed fourth amongst the top competitors in their boys’ and girls’ brackets, respectively.

In the MAC Cooper’s Lake competition on Oct. 8, Freedom’s cross country girls failed to place within the top ten collectively. Among the 88 finishers total, Sharpless tied with a score of 24 amongst three other competitors and placed 31st. Junior Brittany Freed also tied with one another competitor and a score of 28, finishing 37th. Junior Paige Velimirovich also placed 78th with a score of 55.

In the boys’ bracket, Boyd placed seventh and Hessler placed 11th out of the 125 male competitors, with a score of 7 and 9, respectively. Junior Austin Schroeder also placed 66th with a score of 51.

At the Grove City Invitational on Oct. 1, Freedom placed ninth overall with Boyd, Hessler and sophomore Ethan Paxton topping out the lead. Boyd placed third, Hessler placed 15th and Paxton placed 71st among the 98 finishers.

On Oct. 13, The team traveled to MAC tournament, where Boyd placed 3rd out of the 129 male competitors, and Hessler placed 26th. Freedom did not place in the top ten overall. Of the 127 female competitors, Sharpless placed 57th, the best of the Freedom girl’s competitors.