Varsity runners line up to begin warming up before their race at Mason. Sycamore is in division one of the races. Coach Greg Pottebaum encourages each girl before the race. All photos by Jeremy McDaniel.

Before the race, the runners slap hands to get out all their nerves. Not only does it take their mind off the race, but it gives them a lot of pain to focus on throughout the run. Races are very stressful and this ritual takes your mind off the start.

All the racers begin to do strides to warm up. They figure out where the entering point for the course is and also begin to plan their strategies for the race. Each runner also makes sure to double-tie their spikes so they do not lose a shoe in the creeks and mud.

At the Mason race, there are a multitude of hay bales for the runners to go over. They have quite the real cross country course. If you do not jump over the hay bales, you are disqualified from the race.

Sophomores Meredith Gottliebson and Josey Leech after they hop the hay barrels. They are at the 1.75 mile. The runners stay together to push each other to do better. They both finished the race within one minute of each other.