The Maize High cross country team ran regionals on Oct. 24. The boys varsity team won for the first time in 14 years. They beat out Maize South by three points.

Junior Kadyn Dohlman placed 4th out of the 52 boys who raced and is now preparing to run for state.

“I am preparing for state by coming to practice as usual and running everyday to the best of my ability,” Dohlman said.

Varsity runner Zoie Ecord placed 5th and is now also preparing for the competition at state.

“Even though state is the most important race of the season I am trying to treat it like any other race,” Ecord said.

Dohlman is very proud of his team and how well they have been doing on the courses this season.

“I am especially proud of our freshman Alex Ayin for stepping up to the plate and running a phenomenal time each and every race,” he said.

Ecord has been training all season for her run at state and is excited to be able to run and hopefully place.

“I am most excited for being able to race even faster because of the other girls that will be there,” she said. “They will push me.”

Dohlman says that he runs because of the thrill and the team that has now become his family.

“I run cross country for the thrill of racing,” he said. “And of course being able to hang out with friends that I can call family.” 

Ecord, similar to Dohlman, says she runs for the memories and to be part of the team.

“I run cross country because of all the memories you can make, the people you can meet, and the team you can be a part of,” she said.

Over the season it is natural that an athlete will have a favorite part of the season.

“My favorite part has got to be when all seven boys are running so close together for the first mile of every race,” Dohlman said.

Cross country is a sport that comes with a lifelong bond with your teammates on and off the course.

“I think more people should join cross country because of the team that will come with the sport,” Ecord said. “We are all so supportive of everyone on the course and off the course.”

The varsity team will run tomorrow at the State tournament.