The Fountain Hills High School cross country season is over and despite having a smaller team than most other schools, the Falcons were still able to leave their mark on the season.

The cross country state championship was held on Nov. 10. One runner from FHHS, Lucas Elwood, qualified for the state race. Elwood, a senior, has qualified for the state championship all four years of his high school career.

“Compared to track, making state for cross country isn’t too difficult,” Elwood said. “They’re both good practice for one another.”

Elwood finished the race with a time of 18:06, placing him 55 in a race of 236 runners.

“The Falcons and I are very proud of Lucas’ commitment and excellence,” head coach Mary McDonald said. “We are looking forward to his senior track season as well.”

McDonald is also proud of the effort the rest of her team – some of who are new to cross country – made throughout the season.

“Our team worked hard this year,” McDonald said. “Several of them were new to distance running, so they had to build endurance and speed to become competitive, and they rose to that challenge.”

McDonald also pointed out that her team was able to balance cross country’s earlier morning practices along with their other academic responsibilities.

“I am really proud of the team and their efforts,” McDonald said. “They all were scholar- athletes; remained academically eligible all season. Several of them managed jobs or other obligations like band while running and competing.”

McDonald’s favorite meet of the season was the Woodbridge High School Cross Country Classic, where numerous Falcons finished with top personal bests. While McDonald was excited about her team’s performance, the trip was a standout to her because of the team bonding.

“My favorite memory was definitely the California trip,” McDonald said. “It was an excellent team-building opportunity, especially during the car time.”

McDonald has already started planning for next year’s season.

“Some things that we will implement next year include more cross-training, hill workouts, and pool workouts in the afternoons,” McDonald said.