The Wilson cross country teams boasted impressive records last year, with Wilson runners finishing in top spots across the board in multiple race divisions. Though they have lost crucial seniors, the now-juniors look to fill the hole left by the talented graduates. “I think our team is going to explode very soon,” junior captain Joe Himmelfarb said.

This explosion of talent may already be in the works, as Wilson won the Lafayette Invitational on September 20. Himmelfarb is hoping for an even better season than last year. Junior Jose Cruz said that the team is improving, but said that the team fighting constant injuries will be a challenge. Himmelfarb cites the battle against injuries as a more pressing concern than losing top runners who graduated last year.

Boys coach Nora Swift echoed Cruz’s and Himmelfarb’s sentiment after their impressive fourth and fifth placings in the Woodward Relays, respectively. She also acknowledged that their current injury issue “has always been and continues to be a problem,” because athletes are running year-round. Swift also said that “closing the skill gap between JV and varsity is a challenge for this season.”

“We have a lot of potential and are working very hard,” Himmelfarb said.