Anya Budzinski ’26 and Amelia Alvazzi ’26 race in Andover’s home opener against Choate, defeating them 47-16.
This Saturday, Girls Cross Country (1-0) hosted its home opener against Choate, earning a decisive 47-16 victory. The smaller dual meet stood in stark contrast to the massive 25-school Manchester Invitational two weeks prior, but the team brought the same focus and enthusiasm to its home course.
The energy surrounding the meet was high as friends, family, and classmates gathered to cheer the runners on. Tayla Stempson ’27 described how the team’s spirit and support fueled its success.
“It was really hype. A lot of people’s friends and family came out to support the team and to cheer everyone on. There were people playing music. We had a couple of Blue Key Heads there, which really helped the energy as well. Overall, the energy was up. It was very exciting, and it was a great home opener overall,” said Stempson.
Even with only two schools competing, the atmosphere was vibrant. Claire Bancroft ’28 highlighted how both teams showed sportsmanship and encouragement throughout the race, particularly during the final moments.
“It was not as big as some of the other races since it was only Andover and Choate, but at the same time, it was still really supportive. At the end, we had one runner left, and every single person, even on the Choate team, was cheering, and all the Andover team was cheering on our last runner. It was really an emotional moment for everybody because we got to watch this one runner who had a huge two-minute [personal record] on the [5-Kilometer],” said Bancroft.
The meet also marked several milestones for Andover runners — eight Juniors ran their first high school 5K, and many athletes set new personal records. Stempson praised her new teammates for their strong performances.
“We won against [Choate] by a lot. We saw a lot of great performances on both sides and a lot of PRs for the new people. We had a few who were running their first [5-Kilometer] ever, and they did really well,” said Stempson.
The team’s support extended beyond the finish line, echoing throughout the course. In the quieter sections of Cochran Sanctuary, teammates often motivate each other with the phrase “spark it.” Fatima Bah ’29 explained how that small gesture embodies the team’s unity.
“During races, whenever we pass each other, we always say, ‘spark it,’ which is something that Girls Cross Country says to help us support each other. The captains, Chloe [Song ’26] and Zoe [von Eckartsberg ’26], are also very supportive, and they help bring up the community,” said Bah.
Bancroft also noted that mental toughness plays an essential role in the sport. The team has incorporated mindfulness techniques to manage nerves and improve focus.
“The day before and the day of the race, Girls Cross Country has been doing breathing exercises to get prepared to not get overwhelmed or too stressed or nervous during the race, and so that’s also been really helpful,” said Bancroft.
In addition to psychological preparation, the team trains strategically in groups based on different athletic goals. Bancroft explained how this structure supports overall performance.
“Whether [the training is] building a base so that you’re able to comfortably run the 5K, or whether it’s more anaerobic or aerobic speed, we’ve been building on those things in the past few weeks,” said Bancroft.
Girls Cross Country will compete against St. Paul’s, Austin Prep, and Northfield Mount Hermon next Saturday.
