By James Tatter, Online Editor
With the Reynolds men’s cross-country team being ranked third in the state entering this season, it would have been easy for the women’s team to slip into the shadows. But with the combination of a strong front pack of veteran runners and an abundance of young talent, this women’s team has a chance to shock the competition.
The women had their work cut out for them after losing their top four runners and five of their top seven. This included former No. 1 Chandler Borton, who will be running at Wake Forest. However, after a strong spring track season and a committed summer, the women have regrouped for this season.
Seniors Taylor Wolcott, Grace Nicklas-Morris, Caitlin Moffatt and Danielle Winter are leading the effort and junior Becca Royer rounds out the pack of experienced returners. Right behind this group is a competitive pack of returning sophomores and a large freshman class that gives the team the depth it needs to compete in the Central Piedmont 4-A Conference and the region.
While Nicklas-Morris and Royer are the fastest two returners, they are joined by Moffatt and Wolcott to form a formidable foursome at the front. Wolcott was held back last season by an injury, while Moffatt has earned her spot at the front through shear determination after having “improved from a dedicated summer,” coach Ryan Solomon said.
“Our front four returners have put in the best summer of training ever and it’s really starting to show,” the coach said. “It has also allowed them to not only become stronger runners, but stronger leaders to a slew of younger runners we’ve gotten this year.”
The team’s younger runners have appreciated the leadership from their older teammates. Leah Wilson, a freshman, got the chance to get to know the older runners during summer training and believes their leadership has helped her improve as a runner.
“During the summer I got to run with (the older runners), so I gradually got better,” Wilson said. “They are really encouraging and nice.”
The team members have found a good balance between depth and commitment, Solomon said.
“The younger runners are developing very well and some may be able to contribute to the team score a lot sooner than they or anyone else realizes,” Solomon said. “Something I’ve noticed about the girls team this summer is that no matter what number they are on the team, they are always pushing the girl ahead of them to make them better.”
Don’t miss the Demons in action this fall!
- Sept. 28 — Greensboro Cross Country Invitational at Hagen-Stone, 9 a.m.
- Oct. 5 — Wendy’s Invitational at McAlpine Park, Charlotte, 9 a.m.
- Oct. 12 — NCRunners 9th/10th at Beeson Park, Kernersville, 9 a.m.
- Oct. 16 — Central Piedmont Conference Championships at West Forsyth, 5 p.m.
- Oct. 26 — NCHSAA 4-A Regional at Beeson Park, Kernersville, 9 a.m.
- Nov. 2 — NCHSAA 4-A Championships at Beeson Park, Kernersville, 9 a.m.