The SMA Cross Country team, running under the name Rose City XC Club, ended their season at the Nike Team National Cross Country Meet at Portland Meadows Race Track in Portland, Oregon on December 1st with a 10 place finish. Heading into Saturday’s race, the team had two goals: finish higher in the race than their #15 national ranking, and confirm that their NW Regional win was no fluke by finishing as the highest team from the Northwest in the race. Both goals were accomplished and coaches Mike Bojorquez and Mike Bergmann were extremely pleased with the girls’ performance.
“Racing at the national meet and finishing in the top 10 is a great way to finish the year. This has truly been an amazing season and we are so proud to represent St. Mary’s Academy.” ~ Mike Bojorquez, Head Coach
Below are 2 excerpts from St. Mary’s students on their experiences on this once in a lifetime event.
When asked to reflect on my thoughts of Nike Team Nationals, I didn't even know where to begin! It was an absolutely amazing experience that I know I will never forget! From the opening ceremony with team skits to the NTN dance, a lot of great memories were made. Nike generously paid for each runner's airfare, hotel, meals throughout the weekend, and even gave each runner a new wardrobe consisting of: shoes, spikes, warm-ups, fleeces, and our uniforms. A hospitality room was sent up for the runners at the Nike Headquarters as well. It was really fun to hang out there, play a couple of games of air hockey or Wii, mingle with other teams, and even see a real hypnotist! One memory that really stands out for me was when my team and I first arrived at the hotel and saw all of the banners that Nike had hung up to represent each team. Looking at all the team banners as far west as Los Angeles and as far east as New York, made me stop and realize how proud our team should be and
how far we've come. Race day weather couldn't get any better-it was actually snowing in Portland, Oregon! Before the race, announcers called out each team over the intercom and showed a picture of the team up on the big screen for everyone to see. I'll never forget hearing my name over the intercom and glancing over at the picture of us on TV. With the snow in my face and crowd cheering, it made the moment seem as if I was in a movie and almost unreal. It was too perfect to believe! We had made it! We were running in Nationals and I know that weekend will be one I will never forget. ~ Tara Higgins, Senior
Standing at the starting line at NTN was surreal. For the past two days we had all suddenly become minor celebrities, bombarded with free gear, activities, dinners, interviews and photo ops. All that was building up to this one moment at the starting line--and I suppose the next twenty minutes as well. I don't know if anybody said "runners set," but I certainly didn't hear it.It was impossible to miss the cannon, however, and we were off! Starting on a downhill slope was definitely helpful, and I was able toget to the spot I wanted despite the huge number of people. The first splash of freezing water was a bit of a shock, but from then onward it didn't make a difference. To be honest, most of the race is sort of a blur of mud and snow and lots and lots of people cheering, except for the whoop-de-doos, which actually lived up to their nickname. After slogging through the gushiesttwo hundred meters of the course and splashing through the lake, those hills are very welcome, and actually very fun, kind oflike an extremely low-budget roller coaster. The two mile sign came up much sooner than I thought it would, and before I knew it I was coming around the final curve, trying to pass anyone I could get close to. I splashed through the final puddle and crossed the finish line.
The rest of the weekend was incredibly fun, Nike did an amazing job of making us feel really special and privileged to be there. I also loved how truly focused on the team the whole event was, it was great time to bond and really appreciate the team before the season ended. ~ Taylor Ffitch, Senior
Pre-meet workout at Portland Meadows.
Team prayer before the start of the race.
Rose City XC (St. Mary’s Academy OR)
10th place – 295 points
31 Whipps, Lucy 10 Rose City XC Club 20:05.6
35 Jones, Alexandra 09 Rose City XC Club 20:11.4
51 Kearns, Alexa 10 Rose City XC Club 20:31.4
75 Ffitch, Taylor 08 Rose City XC Club 20:49.1
103 Olson, Jen 10 Rose City XC Club 21:18.3
119 Bergmann, Erin 11 Rose City XC Club 21:47.5
144 Higgins, Tara 08 Rose City XC Club 22:41.7
Founded in 1859 by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, St. Mary’s Academy of Portland, is Oregon’s oldest continuously operating secondary school and one of 716 all-female schools in the country. The student body represents a diverse background of young women from over 30 urban, suburban, and rural communities in Oregon and Southwest Washington. St. Mary’s Academy is distinguished by its development of the whole person, and is the only school in the state to receive three U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Schools awards.
