Less than 12 hours before the recent Father Vincent Capodanno High School Grunts’ first-ever cross-country race, three of the runners were competing in other sports on the gridiron and volleyball court.
But that didn’t stop the Grunts from waking early and running fast in their first high school 5K race hosted by Metrolina in Indian Trail, N.C.
After crossing the finish line first for the Grunts, freshman standout Canon Capps said, “Wow, that was hard, and those guys were fast.”
For a little perspective, coach Joshe Raetz reminded Canon and junior runner Caleb Raetz that probably not too many of those faster guys scored touchdowns like the two Grunt runners did the previous night.
Freshman EJ Wild rounded out the men’s team, and two freshman ladies, Salem Capps and Sarah Raetz, ran for the Grunts. All three finished with strong kicks and ended up with personal records.
According to Salem, the 3.1-mile race “wasn’t so bad, but it was really, really muggy. I’d do it again, though.”
The runners each demonstrated tremendous grit, racing in the humid conditions, and this is something that Capodanno students are becoming well known for.
Cross country makes for Father Capodanno High School’s eighth sport in only three years of athletics and seven years as a school.
Courtesy photo/Contributed.
