It’s loud—parents yelling to their kids, teams shouting chants, and some runners squeezing in last-minute strides. Then, the announcer’s voice pierces through the noise, delivering instructions and rules on how the race will unfold.

 With just three words, “On your marks,” the atmosphere shifts. The boisterous energy vanishes, replaced by an electrifying silence that grips everyone. Then the gun goes off. In an instant, the commotion returns, and you find yourself running alongside them, not wanting to miss a second of the action.

 On Monday November 11, Milton High’s Girls Cross Country team placed seventh with 197 points, earning a spot at the MIAA Meet of Champions Cross Country meet in Devens, Massachusetts. Although the boys’ team did not qualify as a group, senior Joshua Toth qualified individually, placing 8th out of 155 runners with an impressive time of 16:46.81 in the 5k. 

Riding high on their performances, the varsity runners turned their focus to the final meet the following Saturday, November 16.

 For their final week of preparation, the girls and boys trained from Monday through Friday. When asked about their preparation, girls’ varsity runner Fiona Tobin shared, “We did a lot of hill workouts and speed workouts as well as short runs around town to make sure we were prepared without being burnt out.” 

Coaches Jason Cakouros and George Daly led the boys’ team, while Milton High’s own teachers, Ms. Ritten, Mrs. Laughton, and T Shaw coached the girls.

 On race day, the runners packed into the bus at 8:15 am, joined by supportive friends and family. Among those in attendance was Milton High’s Athletic Director, Michael Bierwirth, who cheered the team on.

 Even if the runners were nervous, they didn’t show it on their faces as they stepped off that bus with confidence. After setting up a tent and putting down their bags, the coaches and runners walked the course, examining its twists and turns. 

Unlike other sports, cross country courses change with every meet, offering unpredictable terrain. This particular 5k featured wide-open stretches of field, up and down steep hills, and paths through the woods, where clouds of dirt obscured the runners’ vision as they navigated the rugged terrain. 

Representing Milton High was freshman Grace Danielson, sophomores Evelyn Toth and Reese Longo, juniors Lauren Cooper and Fiona Tobin, and seniors Megan Carew and Lydia Turner. Overall, the girls placed 22nd with 538 points. Danielson led the team with a time of 20:30.81. 

Reflecting on the race, Coach Daly remarked, “This is the best competition I've seen all year. They ran strong. They ran tough. They weren't all feeling good so it's always impressive to see them out here.”

 As for Milton High’s singular runner for the boys' team, Toth placed 58 out of 186 with a time of 17:00.51.

 The end of the race mirrored the start—emotions running high as parents, friends, and coaches cheered their teams through the final meters. No matter how the runners fared mid-race, everything boiled down to those last few seconds. And just like the silence before the starting gun, the fierce intensity dissipated as runners crossed the finish line. Competitors comforted and congratulated one another. Some left with injuries, others with upset stomachs, and a lucky few headed for the merchandise stand.

 Milton High’s Cross Country runners left Devens content with their efforts. After a well-earned two-week break, most of these athletes will transition to their winter sports starting December 2nd. With new leadership from Lauren Cooper, Rebecca Domineau, and Fiona Tobin for the girls’ team and Gideon Toth for the boys, Milton’s runners are already setting their sights on next year, hoping for even faster times and stronger finishes in the seasons to come.