Sophia Briggs

In order to fully recognize the amazing efforts of our girl’s Cross Country team this season, Mr. Brusotti has nominated three of the team’s leaders as athletes of the month for September and October. Sophia Monteforte sat down with sophomore Sophia Briggs to discuss her success this season.

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Hey Sophia! Thank you for taking the time to be here, and also a huge congratulations on the outstanding accomplishments both you and the team have been awarded. I know the general feeling of winning is great, but what do you like most about cross country?

– I like the people the most. I think that we have the best, nicest, and most hardworking people. I also just love cross country because of what the sport is and how much I love running.

I would agree. Our cross-country organization is filled with some memorable and accomplished athletes. It must feel amazing to be part of this community. Anyway, what do you think the most challenging aspect of cross country is?

– I think it is the whole sport of XC itself that is the most challenging.  The difference between cross country and track is that you’re running on a course such as a park, which is affected by the weather every day. You could be running in mud or in freezing conditions. I think that doing that and doing that for 3.1 miles a day takes a lot of hard work, work that we have done since the summer to prepare.

You guys start early, like the other fall sports, with your pre-season. As you progress and reach more goals, I see how enduring those challenging aspects would be worth it in the long run. With all that being said, how do you recover for the next week from these challenging meets and practices, since you run probably six or seven days a week for three to four months at a time?

– Our coach tells us every day to run how we feel. If we feel really strong from the meet before, then we will run at a faster pace. If we are mentally and physically a little tired, we will pace ourselves, which is what running is really all about.

Okay, I see. That makes sense. Moving on here, With the assortment of success you and the team have collected, do you have a favorite memory while being on the cross country team so far?

– The best memories are always that moment between not knowing if you have won something, and then knowing that you achieved what you wanted. It is like that nervous feeling in the back of your mind, saying “maybe we did it,” which is different from other sports because in a game like soccer, you know once the game is over that you won. In XC, once we finish it takes up to an hour to rally up the points. That feeling once you get the results are crazy. We will run, jump, and scream. Those are really some of my favorite memories.

That is really great. When you guys go to these meets they are pretty much your entire day, considering how much time and dedication you and your teammates put into the sport. With that said, what do you like to do in the offseason?

– Well it is nice getting home at 3:00 like everyone else. However, it is weird not having that schedule because running to me is my regular schedule. When I get free time, I still am exercising, doing things like walking my dog. I also get more time to get homework done.

I see how that change is pretty abnormal, and how it can be difficult to grow accustomed to a different schedule. Transitioning here, is there anyone such as a role model or inspiration you have or had to start running cross country?

– I would say my dad helped me get into cross country. He really motivates me, but it was also cool seeing our alumni. Our seniors from last year were a big class, and I remember being in middle school and going to races with my dad and I could picture myself there.

I see, so those girls kind of set goals for you to one day achieve and served as your role models to follow?

– Yes. Even when I look at them as athletes and as people, their leadership and their consistency with the team made me want to be like that too.

Awesome, Sophia. Again, congrats so much on this accomplishment. I genuinely learned more about our school cross country organization and the sport as a whole just by listening. Have a great track season ahead!