BSM sports teams are looking to have a successful fall season and the girls cross country team is hoping to contribute to that success. With their first two races under their belt, the rest of the season is looking bright.

Senior captains Maggie Amaris, Carly Smithmier, Sophia Delgado, and junior captain Lily Peterson have already guided their team successfully through three meets. In their first meet of the season, the Red Knights had five girls place in the top ten for their age divisions. “The first race was difficult, but it was only two miles, so it was easier than a 5k. I think the whole team did really well for our first meet,” Smithmier said.

For their second meet the girls traveled to Sioux Falls, South Dakota where sisters Vivienne and Genevieve Larson placed the highest for the Red Knights. Both boys and girls cross country teams stayed overnight in South Dakota and participated in several team bonding activities. “It was really fun because we all dressed up in costumes and ate dinner. We got some weird looks, but it made it really funny,” Smithmier said.

The girls cross country team contains students from grades seventh through 12th making it a different team dynamic compared to other sports. “It can be a little weird at the beginning of the season with all of the new girls, but we all try to be open and the overnight trip to South Dakota helps us bond a lot,” Amaris said.

Sisters Genevieve and Vivienne Larson helped the varsity team secure third place overall in their third meet of the season, and they’ve both had a lot of success so far this season. “Our team as a whole is pretty good this year, but I would say [juniors] Genevieve and Vivienne Larson are our rising stars this season,” Amaris said.

BSM Girls Cross Country didn’t place in their Section during the 2020 season but they’re looking forward to being in a different Section this year. “Coming off of a weird season last year because of COVID was a challenge and we were in a hard section last year, but [we] are now in an easier one which will hopefully help us make it to state,” Amaris said.

With a promising start to their season, the girls cross country team is looking forward to continuing their success. “My team goal is to see everyone try their best and put all their effort into practices and races. Hopefully everyone feels they improved in some way during the season,” Smithmier said.