The Woodland Park cross country teams were looking to take “the next step” this season. Coaches Jeremy Grier and Jordan Ricks say they did just that.

One notable accomplishment was the significant increase in athletes participating in off-season training. In the summer of 2022, six athletes committed to putting in off-season miles. However, in 2023, this number soared to 14 athletes who consistently showed up to prepare for the upcoming season.

That momentum rolled into the season as both squads qualified for the state meet. The 2022 season marked the first time in 17 years that both teams secured a spot at the state level. The Panthers qualified again in 2023, marking the first time in 23 years that both squads qualified in back-to-back seasons.

“Watching these kids take positive steps in all aspects of their lives is the most rewarding part of being a coach,” Grier and Ricks said in a statement. “It was especially rewarding to watch the girls team have the success they had with only five runners on the team.”

At state, both teams finished 13th. The girls’ team actually tied for 12th but lost the tiebreaker.

Stella Schroeder became the seventh female in WPHS history to participate in three state cross country meets. Eli Dvorak etched his name in the record books as the 15th fastest male in the school’s history. The boys’ team achieved a historic milestone by having five males complete a 5k in under 17:47 for the first time in 20 years. Furthermore, for the first time, nine males ran 18:17 or below for a 5k, highlighting their growing depth.

The girls’ team saw Nora Scicluna break records, becoming the fastest freshman female in the school’s history at 19:22, making her the sixth fastest female. Stella Schroeder reached a remarkable milestone by becoming the third fastest female in the school’s history at 19:06.

The cross county teams also acquitted themselves well in the classroom. In 2022, multiple athletes faced challenges with their grades, occasionally resulting in missed races. In 2023, a change was evident, as no athletes missed races due to grade issues.