Although the temperatures outside remain stifling, the leaves will soon begin to ripen with bright colors, signaling fall is on its way, along with the start of North Atlanta’s 2023 cross-country season. This weekend, the Running Warriors’ boys’ and girls’ varsity teams will be competing in the Bob Blastow Invitational located at the beautiful McIntosh Nature Preserve in Whitesburg, Georgia. Over sixty-five teams from across the state of Georgia are scheduled to compete.
Over the past two years, the girls’ and boys’ teams have each captured State Championship titles respectively: the girls in 2021 and the boys last year in 2022. Undoubtedly, entering the 2023 season, both teams have big shoes to fill. With three significant senior runners from last year’s boys’ team having graduated, the younger members of the 2023 team, in order to prevail, will have many challenges to overcome. On the contrary, the girls’ team has a large, experienced senior class.
Any team, especially one with less experienced competitors, needs a dedicated captain to keep the team focused and prepared. Teddy Meredith, a four-year varsity runner, and this year’s team captain, has high hopes for the boys’ squad. Meredith knows how much potential the young team possesses and he works diligently to keep everyone focused. “I believe we can win many of our meets and earn a top-three finish at States,” said Meredith.
Head coach, Nicholas Cluster, has two championships under his belt and is aiming for another. “We stick to the motto,” said Cluster, “grind day in and day out, always be consistent, and own a champion mindset.”
On the girls’ side, the veteran group of seniors are excited to have another year together on the trails. For many, this is their fourth and final year running together, and they want to savor it as much as possible. One of the girls’ team captains, Catherine Townsend, said, “Our team has been together for many years and we have grown close through our hard work together. We look forward to a strong final season competing together.”
The North Atlanta Running Warriors’ XC season is set to begin as they toe the grassy start line this weekend at McIntosh Nature Preserve. Expectations are indeed high, and through discipline and focus, both teams hope to succeed and display their champion mindset.
