When the fall semester picks up, so do the university’s 12 cross-country athletes. The team is officially switching from trails to tracks as they kick off their indoor season while sustaining the momentum from fall through this winter.
For sophomore Molly Cohen, this transition feels like both a challenge and a chance to reset.
“Overall, I would say cross country was pretty good,” Cohen said. “There were definitely some ups and downs with getting hurt. But when you’re on such a supportive team of people who really care about each other, it makes things like being injured less hard.”
That sense of community is something every athlete can feel when they talk about the university’s cross country team, which seems to move more like a family than just another sports roster.
Between the chaos of practices, races, and recovery, their bond has clearly become their biggest motivator.
“What motivates me is my teammates,” Cohen said. “Running three seasons pretty much back to back is definitely a lot, but when you have great people around you who make an easy run, long run, or hard workout not only fun but easier, it makes all the difference. I certainly would not be able to get through any season without my teammates.”
As cross-country wraps up, the team’s focus shifts from trails and hills to the curves of the indoor track. Some would say that’s an adjustment. For Cohen, it’s about setting new goals and finding new motivation for the season.
“As of right now, I’m planning on running the 3K and the 1500,” she said. “I plan on preparing for these events with some shorter races and lots of speed and strength work.”
Many runners may love the structure and levels of predictability of track, but sophomore fashion major Victoria El-Azem admits there’s something more individualistic and compelling about cross country.
“For anywhere between 20-40 minutes, the only person responsible for how you do it is yourself. The real resilience is shown in the day-to-day efforts.”
–Nov. 4, 2025–
