As the Columbus cross country runners hear the bell ring at the end of a school day, they know their work isn’t over. They change and start to move toward familiar ground, Tropical Park.

Both the Columbus and Lourdes cross country team practice at Tropical Park every day, and it just so happens to be the location of their second race of the season.
The second annual “King of the Hill” event took place with 46 schools in attendance and over 1,000 runners.  With all the schools that took part, only two had a slight advantage, Columbus and Lourdes. “This is our home course,” JV Lourdes runner Jeannie Estevez said, “We know it very well and we know all the holes and places to do sprints and to slow down.” This knowledge was certainly advantageous to her; she went on to win first place in the JV girls’ race.

The Columbus and Lourdes cross country teams were able to push through the course easier than most because of this home course advantage. While the hill that the course is known for is certainly demanding, the Columbus and Lourdes runners were able to take on the challenge with great success because they do so daily.

“This is our race,” said JV Columbus runner Matthew Rembold, “our home course, we run it just about every single day.” Having this advantage allowed the team to run well as a whole. Columbus hosts this event giving the runners yet another advantage. With teachers such as Mr. Cooper playing with the Columbus band, Mr. Isenberg making the prestigious trophies, and Mr. Marinelli commentating; the runners probably felt even more at home with the course.

When the Columbus runners race up the Tropical Park hill with sweat dripping down their face, they don’t stop. They push through the pain and exhaustion because they know they’re getting better. They know this practice will not only give them an advantage in the “King of the Hill” event, but also in all the races throughout the season.

The team will use the experience gained in the “King of the Hill” event toward the rest of the races this season, as they try to go for the state championship. With the second year of this event passed, it looks like another success for the team and for the school.

Contributors: Sebastian Planas, Brian Houtenbrink-Hoyo, Mickey Suarez, Ricky Gomez, and Cesar Sabates