Every Thursday, from 6:30-8p.m., around 100 cross country runners dine together in a weekly pasta dinner, loading carbs for their next run.

“A lot of people are excited [for the pasta dinner] because its been a long week, and a lot of people want pasta,” Grant Reed, ‘27, a member of the junior varsity cross country team, said. “And after [eating], I usually play spikeball, football or lover’s leap.”

Cross country is one of the various fall sports at WHHS, with 127 runners. Despite the large number of people on the team, runners still maintain a close relationship.

“The culture is just amazing, I feel like everyone is very friendly,” Petra Pandora-Nelson, ‘27, a varsity cross country runner, said.

One of the most famous traditions that brings the team closer together are the pasta dinners. They are not just a meal shared together, but a way for the team to bond and strengthen the team’s culture.

“It’s a really fun team, we have pasta dinners, we play games and we talk to each other,” Pandora-Nelson said.

Although XC (cross country) is run alone during meets, friends and other runners can uplift each other during practice runs. Running with a friend can also be better for your heart rate, coining the term “conversational pace.”

“When you are going for a run, you can just strike up a conversation with anyone,” Pandora-Nelson said.

Some players find it helpful to prepare themselves mentally before a long day of running, whether it’s a short run or a long run.

“I try to force myself to get excited, I try to get all the other girls excited,” Maeve Mohler, ‘26, captain of the varsity cross country team, said, “I pretend I’m not nervous.”

Because the sport is physically demanding, mass amounts of preparation are done before the weekly meet.

“[I physically prepare by] trying to remind myself this is for the meet, just to hold myself accountable,” Mohler said.

During meets and some practices, it’s an ordinary occurrence for new and old runners to become sick while running, especially in extreme heat.

“My very first race, I was very dehydrated, my stomach was cramping up so much,” Pandora-Nelson said.

During a difficult race, it is important to stay focused. Having the right mindset is crucial during sports, and each person has their own way of staying calm.

“I pick a few girls ahead of me and I’m like ‘I want to pass that SUA girl, I want to pass that Kings girl,’” Mohler said.

While cross country isn’t running as a team, there are many opportunities to connect with other runners outside of runs.

“[My favorite part about XC is] cheering other people on during races… I’m just amazed at what they can do,” Pandora-Nelson said.

In intense weather or textured environments, it can be difficult to make it through the race.

“Try to finish the runs,” Mohler said. “Even if you can’t; try your best, [and] do the work outside of practice.”