2021 Team Captains
Name: Gracy Frea
Favorite Memory: Going to the wild lights with my sister
What I enjoy doing when I’m not running: Playing or writing music
Who inspires you and why: My sister because she is not afraid to try anything or go her own way
I think people would be surprised to know: I have 6 cats and I’ve never actually liked running
My favorite Pig-out food: Cheetos
My favorite quote: “In love we find out who we want to be, in war we find out who we really are” -nightingale
My advice to younger teammates: Do not ever think you aren’t good enough or that you don’t fit in
My biggest accomplishment during my time in XC: Lettering sophomore year and taking off 12.5 minutes on 5k time
When I graduate I hope to: Find more people that make me as happy as XC people (and have a successful career in performance)
Name: Grace Holt
Favorite Memory: Watching my brother and my friend Lex make it to states in cross country
What I enjoy doing when I’m not running: Cooking, baking, and being outside
Who inspires you and why: My brother Sam because of what he was able to accomplish his senior year of XC
I think people would be surprised to know: I really like watching the Harry Potter movies
My favorite Pig-out food: Chocolate chip cookies and pizza
My favorite quote: When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
My advice to younger teammates: Stay consistent, love the sport, push each other, be humble and kind, trust the process, believe.
My biggest accomplishment during my time in XC: First team OCC my junior year, being able to support those I love, but most of all making so many friends in the running community who have become a huge part of my support system
When I graduate I hope to: Get a degree in exercise science and go into some sort of field with athletes
Name: Caroline Gilliigan
Favorite Memory: The mud run at Gallion my freshman year
What I enjoy doing when I’m not running: I love baking when i’m bored or stressed
Who inspires you and why: My mom because she’s a cancer survivor and the strongest woman i know
I think people would be surprised to know: I did irish dance for 8 years
My favorite Pig-out food: Ice cream or popcorn
My favorite quote: Everything happens for a reason
My advice to younger teammates: Don’t stress about meets and remind yourself that the only person you’re running against is yourself and your own time
My biggest accomplishment during my time in XC: Getting the opportunity to be captain and leave a mark on the team
When I graduate I hope to: Go to Cincinnati’s college of nursing and become a neonatal nurse
Name: Sophia Pasquale
Favorite Memory: Summer vacations with my cousins
What I enjoy doing when I’m not running: Being outside, driving, listening to music and doing my nails
Who inspires you and why: Anyone who has overcome great challenges in their life
I think people would be surprised to know: I actually don’t like to run
My favorite Pig-out food: Pasta
My favorite quote: All of the stars have a reason to shine
My advice to younger teammates: Listen to your body it will tell you what it needs
When I graduate I hope to: Become a therapist or counselor
The Senior Class
Name: Sadie Grote
Favorite Memory: Screaming “Sweet Caroline” during XC camp
What I enjoy doing when I’m not running Making necklaces, painting, drawing, watching Netflix, hanging out with friends
Who inspires you and why: My other XC teammates because everyone is so supportive- everyone working together towards their own personal best
I think people would be surprised to know: I have a very long tongue.
My favorite Pig-out food: Sushi or pesto pasta.
My favorite quote: “Trust the process”
My advice to younger teammates: DO NOT underestimate the importance of stretching, drinking water, and eating enough before running.
My biggest accomplishment during my time in XC: Running every day
When I graduate I hope to: Go to college and travel the world
Name: Rory Van Gorder
Favorite Memory: Jumping in the dog pond with Gracy and long runs with my senior girls<3
What I enjoy doing when I’m not running: I like long after practice naps and eating Ben and Jerry’s by the pint.
Who inspires you and why: My teammates inspire me everyday because they push themselves hard and do it with a smile:)
I think people would be surprised to know: I despise running✋
My favorite Pig-out food: Kettle Corn 🌽
My favorite quote: “There is no traffic on the extra mile”
“Find comfort in the Chaos”
My advice to younger teammates: Have fun kiddos! Make some memories and create strong friendships
My biggest accomplishment during my time in XC: Running over 300 miles before my first season as a junior.
When I graduate I hope to: Major in Business Management with a Minor in Spanish
Name: Maddie Jarzabek
Favorite Memory: One practice last fall it was pouring rain and it was so fun just running in the rain because we didn’t have a specific workout to do we just ran around alum creek in small groups.
What I enjoy doing when I’m not running: Shopping, planning roadtrips/ trips, watching Netflix/ YouTube, trying new food places
Who inspires you and why: People who made it to the top coming from nothing.
I think people would be surprised to know: I like sprints more than distance
My favorite Pig-out food: Salt and vinegar chips and grilled cheese
My favorite quote: Never say you can’t. You don’t know if you can do something until you try it.
My advice to younger teammates: Mental toughness is the key to distance running. You need to train hard and push yourself through the pain to be successful.
My biggest accomplishment during my time in XC: Starting junior year not running distance at all in my life and within a month running 5 mile long runs.
When I graduate I hope to: major in biological science with a minor in history on a premedical path while traveling during my college years.