Andover Girls Cross Country revisited New Hampshire for the second weekend in a row, this time to compete at the Black Bear Invitational hosted by Coe-Brown Northwood Academy. Despite missing several runners, the team placed fifth out of 18 teams. Emma Hagstrom ’25 led the team with a seventh place individual finish out of 131 runners.
According to Lauren Montgomery ’25, the hilly course was difficult, limiting the number of personal records (PRs) the team saw. However, the team morale was not affected and spirits were high throughout the meet.
Montgomery said, “The course was really tough, but I think there was a lot of super-positive energy for the team. I know everyone was cheering after their own races. Not a lot of people PR’d because it was a really hard course, lots of hills, but great energy, and it set a great tone for the start of the season.”
This week, Andover runners experienced the new terrain of rolling hills. Tara Menon ’26 shared that despite the tough course conditions, the team raced harder this week than the previous one.
“We all gave our best effort and although we might not have gotten better times than last week, I think effort wise, we all gave probably more effort,” said Menon.
Though not all runners were able to attend the Black Bear Invitational, there was the opportunity for the limited number of athletes to bond on a deeper level. Olivia Isacson ’26 highlighted the connections that were formed between teammates over the weekend.
“There was a lot of team spirit even though there weren’t as many people as [the] Manchester [Invitational] because there had to be cuts. Because there were so few people, everyone was really close and we really bonded. I think the event was shorter and it was much less chilly, so it made the environment much better,” said Isacson.
Chloe Song ’26 was motivated by the unity displayed on the course. She described one of the team’s traditions: saying “spark it” as teammates pass one another on the course.
“A lot of the girls fought really hard on the course. But we relied on each other using teamwork. I said ‘spark it’ actually a couple times. It was very wholesome and I was filled with a lot of joy. It didn’t matter if my team was in front of me or behind me but I knew they had my back,” said Song.
Isacson noted that Andover’s practices have been geared towards having the team at its best on meet day. The flexible training, combined with coaching support, allows runners to cater the practices to fit their needs.
“I definitely think that practice trains really well for competitive racing… I definitely think the coaches try to help you with the sprints at the end of workouts, and help you focus on things you can work on. And they’re really supportive regardless of how you do… The environment is very chill and casual for those who want it to be casual. And for those who want it to be tense there are those [more strenuous] workouts,” said Isacson.
Andover Girls Cross Country will host Choate and Montrose this Saturday.
