Photos submitted by Hamilton Cross Country Team.

Angelika Bourke

The cross country team is celebrating their success at their team banquet today, marking the end of the 2024 season. While there are many celebrations on both sides with many boys and girls PRing as well as three runners making it to state (Manita Mahapatra, Gage Kuhlenbeck, and Noah Bilstad), the team is also losing 10 seniors. These seniors have been a big part of the make-up of the team and are each dedicated and inspiring runners that will be missed by all!

Girls

Elise Damato

How long have you been on the team for?

2 years.

Why did you join cross country?

I quit my main sport, soccer, and wanted to stay in shape. Best decision everrrr.

What was your favorite memory from cross country?

My favorite memory is from my first year and race in cross country. After Arrowhead's Night Race, our team decided to go to Taco Bell until midnight. It was really special because I was able to bond with my teammates outside of practice.

What was your favorite and least favorite course and why?

My favorite race was Arrowhead's Night Race because there are no hills; we got to decorate our tents (which we won best tent this year), music was always playing, and the course was lit up with string lights. My least favorite course is Parkside because of the never-ending hill at the beginning and the rolling hills that follow. I am immune to running well there.

What coach(es) made the biggest impact on you throughout your running career?

Coach Degroot made an impact on my running career because she taught me how to positively look at races and to not dwell on the past. Marc Paul also made a huge impact by creating great workouts to help everyone get in shape and sharing his knowledge on how to run the courses.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about joining the team?

Don't let the distance or pace of some of the workouts freak you out. Though they can be difficult, the feeling of getting through it is worth it in the end. Your teammates and coaches are always there to uplift and encourage you. Also, cross country is literally hanging out with your best friends and running. Even if you are having a horrible day at school, cross country is always fun.

Any parting words of wisdom?

Remember that cross country is really a team sport! Be grateful for all the wonderful relationships you build during the season, and show your teammates how much you appreciate them everyday. Stay positive, even if you are running at Parkside, because your mindset will make all the difference during a race. Everyone on this team has so much potential, so take advantage of that!

Leah Gonwa

How long have you been on the team for?

4 years.

Why did you join cross country?

To stay in shape for soccer.

What was your favorite memory from cross country?

State last year.

What was your favorite and least favorite course and why?

My favorite course is Rotary because it feels the shortest for some reason/most familiar with it. My least favorite course is the Slinger one that we did at sectionals last year because of the hills.

What coach(es) made the biggest impact on you throughout your running career?

Marcus had the biggest impact on my running career.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about joining the team?

Just do it!!!!!!!!! Try it out and see if it’s for you!!!!!! You will probably end up loving and appreciating your decision to give it a chance. Running is a sport that gives back. Personally, I ended up quitting my main sport after joining cross country because I wanted to focus completely on running.

Any parting words of wisdom?

It’s never too late to start working towards your goals.

Mahika Mahapatra

How long have you been on the team for?

3 years.

Why did you join cross country?

I love running!!

What was your favorite memory from cross country?

My favorite memory was when the whole girls team decorated sweatpants.

What was your favorite and least favorite course and why?

My favorite course was Rotary Park because that was where I set my pr from my junior year. My least favorite course was Nagawaukee Park because I rolled my ankle in this course.

What coach(es) made the biggest impact on you throughout your running career?

Coach DeGroot because she is very motivational and has helped me stay positive when it can be tough. Coach Marcus because the workouts that he creates help you get faster. Coach Groth because he always helps lighten the mood in stressful situations. Coach Loferski because he helps support and motivate the team.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about joining the team?

Just believe in yourself, you have it in you!

Any parting words of wisdom?

Don’t compare yourself with anyone but yourself.

Manita Mahapatra

How long have you been on the team for?

3 years.

Why did you join cross country?

I really enjoyed running long distances with my sister and cross country did exactly that!

What was your favorite memory from cross country?

My favorite memory was spending time with the team. Whether it was at pasta dinners or team bonding events or going to state, it was always so fun to get to know my teammates more. Rather than just teammates, I now have so many amazing friends that share the same love for running as me.

What was your favorite and least favorite course and why?

My favorite course was Rotary Park because it was the first time that I broke 20, which was a very long time goal for me. My least favorite course was Heritage Hills because of how many hills there were, and I hate hills. :)

What coach(es) made the biggest impact on you throughout your running career?

All the coaches have impacted me positively! Coach Marcus always has the best workouts planned out. He has taught me to really push myself, and I’ve seen how I have improved as an athlete myself thanks to him! Coach DeGroot is the coach who I can relate with the most. She has helped me stay positive throughout the last two seasons, and I really look up to her because of her caring personality. Coach Groth and Coach Loferski are the biggest motivators on the team and are always pushing us to be better athletes and people. I’m so thankful to have them as my coaches!

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about joining the team?

Only join cross country if you like to have fun, make friends, or eat pasta.

Any parting words of wisdom?

Always try your hardest!

Madeline Mrozinski

How long have you been on the team for?

4 years.

Why did you join cross country?

I joined Cross Country because I wanted to continue to run but also meet friends.

What was your favorite memory from cross country?

My favorite memories from cross country were the bus rides to the meets and the long runs.

What was your favorite and least favorite course and why?

My favorite course was Naga-Waukee Park because it was very secluded, and it was mostly in the woods. My least favorite course was Parkside because of all the hills.

What coach(es) made the biggest impact on you throughout your running career?

All the Coaches had an impact on my running career, but Coach Degroot and Marcus Paulson had the greatest impacts. Marcus also made sure we knew our times for the workouts and always made sure we had enough time before we had to race. He was very punctual and made sure we were also on schedule. Coach Degroot also had a big impact. She always made sure the team was having fun and would always give us encouragement. It was nice to have her as a coach because she made me realize that cross country is so much more than running.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about joining the team?

If someone was thinking about joining the team, I would say DEFINITELY JOIN! The team atmosphere is so fun, which makes it very enjoyable. All the girls are super nice and will become some of your best friends.

Any parting words of wisdom?

My words of wisdom would be to join cross country if you are thinking about it because it is a lot of fun. Also, I will miss all the friends I made on the team and I wish the team the best of luck in the upcoming years.

Boys:

Noah Bilstad

How long have you been on the team for?

4 years.

Why did you join cross country?

To be part of a team and to get faster.

What was your favorite memory from cross country?

My favorite memory is running to Menomonee Park and swimming in the quarry.

What was your favorite and least favorite course and why?

My favorite course was Rotary Park because it's a fast course, and I've been racing there since 6th grade, so it holds many memories. My least favorite course was Muskego because I couldn't run a fast time, and it was really hot.

What coach(es) made the biggest impact on you throughout your running career?

All of the coaches made huge impacts, but if I had to choose one, I would say Coach Paulson because he's been pushing me to work harder and become better ever since I was a freshman.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about joining the team?

I would say you won't regret it because the culture is nothing like anything else you've ever experienced. If you want to be part of a close-knit team, this is where you should come.

Gage Kuhlenbeck

How long have you been on the team for?

4 years.

Why did you join cross country?

I always liked running and wanted to keep pursuing it.

What was your favorite memory from cross country?

My favorite memory from cross country is just running with the team everyday.

What was your favorite and least favorite course and why?

My favorite course was the state course because of the atmosphere. My least favorite course was the Tendick course because the footing was terrible.

What coach(es) made the biggest impact on you throughout your running career?

Marcus Paulson.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about joining the team?

Join the team; running will change your life and keep you in shape.

Any parting words of wisdom?

Just RUN.

Lucas Vera Paez

How long have you been on the team for?

4 years.

Why did you join cross country?

I joined partly because my brother was on the team and partly because I had already done cross country in middle school and enjoyed it.

What was your favorite memory from cross country?

My favorite memory is from 9th grade when me and my friends exploded a mushroom that we found in the forest during an easy run.

What was your favorite and least favorite course and why?

My favorite course was Rotary Park; I always felt good running on that course, and it's the site of many of my personal bests. My least favorite course is probably Parkside; I usually run poorly on that course, so I associate it with bad experiences.

What coach(es) made the biggest impact on you throughout your running career?

Coach Marcus made the biggest impact on me throughout my running career. He has been involved with both the track and cross country team for all four of my years in high school and provided guidance as I matured as a runner/person.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about joining the team?

If you're willing to try something new, I would recommend joining. Once you join, stay consistent with your training and the effort you put into the runs. If you put in the effort, you will see improvement and that is one of the most gratifying feelings you can have. On the other hand, if you don't take training seriously, you're going to hurt more on the workouts and races. But above all, just try to have fun.

Any parting words of wisdom?

Running is life, brothah.

Nate Zembles

How long have you been on the team for?

4 years.

Why did you join cross country?

I like to push my limits in times and distance.

What was your favorite memory from cross country?

My favorite memory from cross country would have to be running to the quarry and swimming.

What was your favorite and least favorite course and why?

My favorite course was Midwest because I broke 17 minutes there. My least favorite course is Greenfield park because it is difficult to get a competitive time there.

What coach(es) made the biggest impact on you throughout your running career?

I would say that Coach Loferski made the biggest impact on me throughout my running career because he believed in me from the start. Not only did he believe that I could do well when I was injured or not at my best, he believed in me when I was my best. It is easier to perform well when you have someone that always believes in you.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about joining the team?

I would say to someone who is thinking about joining cross country would be to just have fun. There are a lot of people who join cross country that are very diverse in times and seriousness.

Any parting words of wisdom?

Push yourself to the best of your ability and always give everything one hundred percent. You can't have any regrets if you gave it your all.

Derek Zhang

How long have you been on the team for?

3 years (since sophomore).

Why did you join cross country?

To get better at long-distance running + have something to do in the fall. I usually prefer sprinting but couldn’t do track due to tennis, so I decided to train for this instead.

What was your favorite memory from cross country?

I would say the day we went apple picking because the workout in those trails was quite nice and, of course, picking the apples were cool as well. It was just a relaxing day in general that ended with some sweet treats.

What was your favorite and least favorite course and why?

My favorite course is probably Rotary Park since I got my PR there. I can’t think of a least favorite course right now; the rest were sort of just like, “Oh, I’m here, I guess I’ll just run.”

What coach(es) made the biggest impact on you throughout your running career?

Coach Loferski for sure. I respect all the work he puts into the program for the boys team, and he’s always there to support us at meets and whatnot. Coach DeGroot also congratulated me on one of my academic achievements midway through the season that I am thankful for.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about joining the team?

My advice goes to all those who think that running may not be the best fit for them: Don’t always choose to do what you are good at because growth comes from the hard moments that you push yourself to break past. I certainly do not think of myself as a long-distance runner, yet here I am, and I definitely do not regret the personal improvements that the activity has brought to me.

Any parting words of wisdom?

Haha, I’m not too old yet, but I’ll try my best. Everything in high school seems so lasting, but don’t forget that we all still have so much ahead of us and that things, even your biggest passions now, may change. Go and explore everything while you can.