What do Sha’Carri Richardson, Usain Bolt, Elle ST. Pierre, Josh Kerr, Aftin Griffin, and Ben Jay all have in common? Not sure? They are phenomenal runners impacting their communities. On Saturday, October 5, 2024, both Aftin Griffin and Ben Jay ran successful Three Rivers Conference Conference races. Aftin led the girls’ team on Saturday with a time of 18:58 and won the TRC meet this year. She was three seconds off of her all-time personal best and just thirteen seconds off of the school record. For the boys, Ben Jay led the team and finished in second place. He beat his PR and tied the school record but is very close to Cail Brown’s time. Coach Matt. Benner said, “Ben fought hard with some very experienced runners from Wabash at the TRC meet, and that’s what helped push him to run one of the fastest 5K times in school history. We’re very proud of the work that Ben is putting in. Colton and Kaiden have been helping push him as well in practice.”
Throughout the next few weeks, both athletes will head to sectionals next week and then hopefully on to regionals and then state. With this only being the second year Cass has been in the TRC, sectionals have the potential to be a suspenseful meet. Both Aftin and Ben were asked how they were feeling about the upcoming sectionals and their biggest competitors for the meet. Aftin replied, “I’m feeling pretty confident with sectionals. I think I should be able to pull out the individual title fairly easily as long as I run well. Maconaquah is always good competition as they are supposed to win the meet. Northwestern and Logan have a few fast girls as well.” Sounds like Aftin is pretty confident sectionals will be a big win for her. Ben’s opinion on the upcoming meet was, “I’m pretty confident for sectionals. Team-wise, we’ll be two or three. Individually I’ll say three to seven range for myself.” Ben also has a very positive attitude towards sectionals this week. The girls’ team is projected to take second place overall behind Maconaquah. Coach Benner’s outlook on the race sounds positive, as he said, “Ben should get pushed similarly at sectional. There are about three to five guys up front that will run great times. He can be one of them. If he does, that will help his team advance once again to the regional at Brownsburg. All five boys will have to be ready to race though at sectionals.” Cass should have quite the sectional meet. The goals for the upcoming meets for both athletes are to make it to state and above all else PR and break the records.
With the season coming to a close, insight into two very good seasons would be nice. The summer conditioning offered to both teams helped all of the athletes involved in Cass’s CC teams. When asked about summer conditioning Aftin said, “ I’d say summer training helped me a lot. I was running every day in the summer and even added a mile to my long run, which helped with endurance. I definitely would not be where I am now without summer training. As they say “Summer miles bring fall smiles.” Based on Aftin’s opinion on summer training it is imperative that a runner runs in the summer if they want to improve in the upcoming season. This season held many ups and downs and several highlight meets. For the girls’ team, the conference was the best, and for the boys’ the Bison Stampede meet was the standout meet.
The CC family here at Cass is growing and quite strong. Athletes on both teams express a sense of community on the teams is one of the main reasons for joining cross country and is, at times, one of the most enjoyable parts of running. The fellowship that has taken place in Cass’s cross country teams is admirable and a wonderful example of what can happen when relationships between teammates and coaches are just as important, if not more important, than place or time in cross country.
You can come to support the boys’ and girls’ cross country teams over fall break at the sectional meet on October 19, 2024, at Logansport High School’s Berry Patch course. The girls’ race starts at 10:30 and the boys will follow about fifteen minutes after. The cost to get into the races will be $7 per person. Best of luck to both teams as they finish the season strong!
