The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science Cross Country team’s season came to an end on a rainy, dreary Monday at Mississippi College. The state cross country meet was not the shining end to the season the team hoped for. Instead, it was every runners nightmare: muddy.

Girls’ Captain Abby Perry said, “It was really  muddy and I had to run straight through a mud puddle that was like a foot deep. It was unavoidable and my shoes got weighed down with mud water.”

Junior Arielle Williams echoed this sentiment: “I had not anticipated the mud holes on the course, nor the frequency of them, yet given our conditioning I feel that I performed as expected given the circumstances.”

However, a dreary end to the season does not negate the past months of hard work according to Williams. She said, “I was able to create and fortify friendships and important life skills. Coach Hall is an eccentric and phenomenal instructor, who has instilled in me that anything can be achieved with hard work, dedication and a lot of sweat.”

Perry, when asked what she gained, said with a laugh, “Well, I haven’t gained weight cause I’ve been exercising!” However, while she has high expectations for next year’s team, she expressed some concern over the lack of junior boys on the team.

“We have a really solid team for next year and with the same consistency and rigorous training, I am certain that we will place next year,” said Williams.