SOPHOMORE REPORTS ON NOTRE DAME CROSS COUNTRY TEAM

April 21, 2020

Way back before the coronavirus pandemic altered the school year for students across the state and country, Notre Dame Prep sophomore penned an article about Irish cross country, a sport she dearly loved. As a junior editor for the student newspaper, her article was intended to be included in a later edition of the student newspaper, which sadly was cancelled when the Notre Dame campus was shut down last month.

Since Um put so much time and effort in reporting and writing the piece, we decided to publish her article on the school website. Enjoy!

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What makes our cross country team special

Notre Dame runners say the XC team is special because they in fact are a ‘team.’

Reporter: Esther Um (jr. editor of the NDP Newspaper Club)

Cross country running, also called XC, is a sport in which teams and individuals run on open-air areas and on surfaces such as dirt and grass. Generally, varsity runs five to nine miles and junior varsity runs three to five miles without stopping, requiring great persistence, endurance and patience. While participating in a race or at practice, runners need to dig deep to put forth maximum physical effort for 20-40 minutes straight. 

“There is no rest in cross country. That’s what makes our team unique,” said Mr. Andy Guest, the Irish cross country head coach. 

“Consistency in practice is how you get better at running,” added Tess Censoni, a sophomore. 

However, cross country, often regarded as an individual sport, is not just about how fast and pertinaciously you run. I interviewed many of our cross country athletes and the head coach to find out what makes our the team special and what running means to them. 

Special because it’s a team

Alli Dawiedczyk (11), a varsity runner who also participates in soccer and skiing, in addition to serving as a student ambassador, said, “What keeps me strong and positive is that I work with my team and for my team, but I also try to beat myself.” Dawiedczyk also said cross country has taught her to always push herself to work hard and stay determined. She stressed how she loves running and what it means to her. “Running is something you can do your whole life, whenever and wherever you are.” 

Many NDP runners also say that what truly makes the team special is how close and encouraging the teammates are. Tess Censoni (10) is a second-year varsity runner even though it's only her second year running. She also plays soccer and actively works as a member of the school's Champions for Life club. “Cross country is definitely different than any other team that I’ve been on," she said. "It is so fun and it’s such a big family.” 

Kaity Heaman (10) added to that sentiment. “The fact that the team is so big and brings all different people together who like to do something very difficult is why the team is so special,” she said. Heaman has been running since seventh grade and has developed her running skills through consistent practice. Her perseverance also led to her medaling at a race last year and moving up to varsity this year. 

Jenny Ohlsson (12), is the captain of the varsity team. She said the cross country team is special because even though it is an individual sport, everyone still has each other’s backs. "Everyone just understands each other.” 

It’s Ohlsson's fifth year running cross country, and second year as the varsity captain. She is one of several remarkable and committed runners on the team and is enjoying her last year at NDP, which also included participating in the school marching band as the color guard captain. Last summer, Ohlsson went to North Carolina for the Junior Olympic Games and ranked in the AAU Girl’s 2000M Steeplechase National Championship. She has committed to Oakland University and will be a member of the school's cross country and track and field teams. 

She's excited to face the heightened challenge next year and she showed her love for her Irish teammates by saying, “My ultimate goal this year would be to go to state with my team. I’ll most likely qualify as an individual, but I’d much rather be there with the rest of my squad.” 

She also advised the other runners on the team: “Focus on your work whenever you’re at practice or competing. For me, I think about God and how he’s watching over me every time I run." 

We go forward together

Meanwhile, the XC team excelled at the state-final race last fall with remarkable results. On Oct. 26, they raced at the regional at Linden High School. As the crowd cheered, the first runner who crossed the finish line was Ohlsson, with a striking time record of 19:11. Moreover, the girls’ varsity team ranked third overall and qualified to enter states. On the boys’ team, Eli Seitzinger qualified as an individual runner by ranking fifth at the regional. 

Finally, Nov. 2 was a day when Ohlsson's dream came true: the girls cross country team competed at the state finals at Michigan International Speedway (MIS). Ohlsson finished in ninth place overall with a time of 18:34, earning All-State honors for the third year in a row. Eli Seitzinger, ran his 5K course in 17:31 and placed 130th overall. Lexi Fraser ran 21:12 (a season-best), Maddie Monaghan a 21:18, Tess Censoni finished in 21:52(a season-best), Nicole Carson, 22:53, Riley Williams, 23:1, and Allie Dawiedczyk, a 23:30, all ran as best as they could. On an inspiring note, Fraser and Dawiedczyk sprinted until the end undauntedly, despite some nagging injuries. The girls Fighting Irish finished in 24th place overall, edging out their rival, Marian, by five points. 

From high school varsity captain to head coach

Mr. Guest, who also is NDPMA's head of school, is the head coach of the cross country team, both boys and girls. However, his position as head coach wasn’t an easy road. It took long-term ceaseless efforts. In high school, which was Notre Dame High School in Harper Woods, he was a four-year varsity track runner and was captain during his senior year. He had also been named the scholar-athlete in track for the Archdiocese of Detroit. 

Still now, after a few decades since his high school career, he is a tenacious runner. 

“I have had a lifetime of positive running experiences and feel I have accomplished a great deal in my life because of it,” he said. He said he's been in seven marathons, six Tough Mudders, and even has an Iron Man Triathlon under his belt. He often tells his athletes how important it is to enjoy the process of running. He emphasizes that coaching cross country is not just about running. "It’s all about my athletes and helping them to create lifelong memories," he said. "In fact, my favorite aspect of cross country is the friends that we all make and the stories that we share.” 

The majority of team sports are very competitive and can give athletes the mind-set that they need to always ‘beat’ their opponents. The great thing about cross country is that everyone can practice within their own capability. Each athlete’s mileage depends on his or her own competence and the only things they are required to do is to put forth their best efforts and to enjoy the process of running. 

Esther Um (10), a JV runner on the cross country team, reflected on the season. 

“Cross county and the friendly team members and coaches gave me valuable memories that I will never forget in my life," she said. "They really boosted me a lot, and we shared such a lot of fun memories together. This XC season gave me the strength to look forward to trying out for many more opportunities and sports." 

For coach Guest, he said he really doesn't care how fast the team is. 

"I just like to see everyone get better and have fun,” he said. "I would also like to encourage more athletes to join the team next year. Long-distance running is not easy, but everyone can have some sort of success. The coaches and student-athletes will help you a lot and we’ll have fun in the process.” 

So, to sum it all up, perhaps what truly makes cross country great is that everyone can feel welcomed on the team.

For more information on enrollment and registration at Notre Dame, please visit the admissions section of our website here.

Comments or questions on this story? mkelly@ndpma.org

Follow Notre Dame on Twitter at @NDPMA.

About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. Notre Dame Preparatory School enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three school are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school’s home page at www.ndpma.org.