On Nov. 9, the New Trier High School girls cross country team ran their most important race all season at the state meet at Detweiller Park in Peoria, Illinois. The Trevians placed No. 18 overall out of 28 teams, led by senior Josie Cahill who placed No. 12 individually. The team competed for the state title this year after not qualifying last year and having multiple difficult years. 

“To be eighteenth this year was a huge step in the right direction,” head coach John Burnside said. “No team gave us anything. If we were going to be above eighteenth, another team was going to have to screw up and give us that spot. We competed exactly how we should have.”

Burnside attributes much of the program’s success this year to the depth of the roster and the dedication of the runners to the program. This year, there were almost 200 girls on the cross country team. By working together every day and pushing each other, the team saw improvements in time, morale, and closeness.

Cahill said the team’s focus and determination to improve became stronger as the season progressed.

“This growth was attributable to our dedication and consistent training that started in June,” Cahill said.

With the leadership of senior captains Cahill, Lele Fabes, Addie Melsher, and Sadie Abbott, the Trevians worked hard throughout the season, completing tough workouts designed to show progression in the training. For returning runners like the captains, this growth can be seen over the years.

“It’s so great to watch them stay healthy and be better now than they were as freshmen and sophomores,” Burnside said. “To see them be the best racers they’ve ever been right now is a great thing.”

Cahill, a four-year program member, said she has seen her consistency, dedication, and self-confidence improve as a runner at New Trier, but also sees areas for improvement.

“If there’s something I could tell my freshman self it would be to take risks, embrace every moment with the team, and never hold back on any opportunity that comes your way,” Cahill said.

To end her Trevian athletic career, Cahill placed No. 12 overall, running three miles in 17:08. This time qualified her for all-state and also was her best race all season. 

“I learned how to believe in myself,” Cahill said. 

While the captains had an integral role in the team’s success this year, their leadership has impacted the overall program and younger runners.

“My experience at New Trier has taught me how important consistent training is in order to be successful and achieve my goals,” Cahill said. “Also, being a considerate and supportive teammate is valuable, and I hope to make new friendships on my college team like the ones I’ve built at New Trier.”

“To watch our senior leaders who are focused on their races and see the stress they’re under [while] also bring[ing] in the younger kids to help show them this is what we do and this is what your future is going to be is amazing,” Burnside said. 

Cahill, who will be running at Santa Clara University next year, will carry the leadership and athletic skills she learned at New Trier into her collegiate career. While the team will miss its seniors, the legacy they left behind will continue to support the program’s success and bring about possible future state meets.  

“Whenever you put kids in a high pressure situation, you see what they’re really made out of,” Burnside said. “You see what they genuinely value, and to see them value their teammates over their own personal success is what New Trier is about.”