After placing first in the district championship, the varsity girls and boys cross country teams ended one of their most successful seasons this year by qualifying and competing at the FHSAA State Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, on Nov. 17.

“This season was very fun, seeing my times progress as we trained throughout the season was rewarding and seeing my hard work pay off was satisfactory,” junior Gregorio Ramos said. “I enjoyed every minute of it, although in the tough workouts in the afternoon sun and at the crack of dawn, I would have disagreed.”

Part of their success comes from the new early morning workouts. Two to three times a week, some varsity runners meet on the Kipp Tack at 5:45 a.m. to complete specific workouts and distances like short sprints and endurance-focused runs around the campus. These workouts are in addition to their regular after school practices.

“[I] enjoy the training sessions, no matter how hard they get, because at the end of the day, they are helping me get faster, which is the end goal,” freshman Juan-Pablo Bracamontes said.

Head Coach Tamara King said this season was “both dashing and dynamite.”

“PTS is clearly establishing a new soaring legacy in the world of Cross Country,” King said.

With the track and field season around the corner in the spring, King invites all students to give the sport a chance and try out its various events like throwing, jumping, vaulting and sprinting.

“There is an event in Track and Field for everyone,” she said.