A trophy case consisting of 11 national titles and countless state championships is one to be proud of. The FM girls’ cross-country team this year is thinking about contributing to that collection.
Arguably the most successful team in Fayetteville-Manlius athletics history, the FM girls’ cross-country team does not get enough appreciation despite dominating the running world for years. Even if they may not be good enough to win a national title this year, senior captain Ava Beecher and junior captain Izzie Sullivan seek to have a year to be proud of.
Of course, the tradition is going to bear some weight on the current team, but the runners look at the history in a positive way. They see how they can be influenced and aspire to be like these very successful athletes. The current runners use this legacy as motivation to try and continue it the best they can.
At the time when the girls’ team began to dominate, one major change in the program had occurred. Coach Bill Aris was hired in 1998. Soon after that, they went on to win six national titles in a row. Even if the team is not as good as it was six years ago, Coach Aris still takes pride in what he does. “Coach means everything to the success of the program and to the current runners. His motto is he takes average kids and makes them do above average things and that is really true for the program. We aren’t all naturally talented when we join but he knows how to specifically curate each runner to be the best they can be.” Izzie Sullivan said.
“He gives daily speeches before practice which are very helpful with life in general and running. He can make almost anyone into a better athlete. You just have to believe in yourself and believe in the training he gives you,” Ava Beecher said.
A successful cross-country team also requires good runners and a significant number of them. Although numbers have dropped recently, the team is constantly recruiting anyone. With the coaching ability, all the team needs now is people willing to put in the time and effort. The goal is to mold them to the best of their ability to fit the goals of the program. “We look for people that want to work hard, and then we work hard,” said Sullivan.
Being on the cross-country team means lots of time spent together. Sullivan’s favorite memory was finishing the sectionals race last year and watching each individual member on the FM sectional team cross, knowing that they made it to states. “I’ll never forget being so proud of my teammates,” she said. Ava remembers the Chittenango Invitational when all of the runners were in a good headspace before and after the race. Everyone had a good race and was happy with how they ran.
Currently, the girls’ team is on an eighteen-year sectional title run and are participating in the state meet tomorrow, Saturday, November 11th at 1:00 pm at Vernon-Verona Sherrill High School.
After states, the team has the option to go to regionals. To qualify for the final meet, NXN, the team must place first or second in your region. The girls are looking for your support during this postseason tomorrow at nearby VVS High School. Beecher and Sullivan said, “Be there or be square!”
