The Bishop McGuinness girls head into this weekend’s 1A race as the favorites. This is unfamiliar territory for the girls from Bishop, as it is only their 3rd year in the 1A classification. Prior to becoming a member of the NCHSAA, they competed in the NCISAA. Last year Hayesville won their 4th straight title, but only squeaking by a determined Bishop team by 3 points.
Bishop returned all of their runners from last year’s team and added a couple newcomers as
well. They have been at the top of the 1A classification all season and hope to go out in that same position. I was able to speak with members from the team as well as Coach Youtz about the season.
Here’s the interview:
Coach Hovis: This is the 3rd year for Bishop in the 1A classification. You have gone from not qualifying for states, to 2nd and losing by 3 points, to being the favorites for the title. What do you contribute to this rise?
Coach Youtz: Getting the word out at the school about cross country and educating the school on the sport of cross country. Gaining numbers means being deeper and this has contributed to our success over the past few years. The girls are great athletes and are willing to get their friends out to join the team or others in the school that they feel would be good runners. I also do different workouts and activities to make cross country fun and to peak the interest of new runners. I'll bring in speakers, such as the Wake Forest XC/Track coach last year to speak to the team and this year a former teammate of mine from Ohio came down to speak to the team. The team enjoys someone besides me always talking.
Heather Hofmann: Our team is extremely dedicated. We love to work hard and push ourselves everyday.
Meredith Bennett: We train hard and run over the summer. We run a lot.
Coach Hovis: You returned the top 7 from last year and gained Katie Pellitteri, so what were your goals heading into the season?
Heather Gagnon: To win states and be undefeated in our conference.
This was the general consensus from all of the girls. Coach Youtz went on to add a few comments.
Coach Youtz: Our team goals were to make it back to state. We wanted to win conference, regionals, and contend for a state championship. We knew Topsail and Hayesville would be tough again this year. We also wanted to challenge ourselves by running against some of the best teams in the state to make us better. Our ultimate goal was to win a state championship especially since we were so close last year.
Coach Hovis: Did you think that you could be one of the top 10 teams in the state, regardless
of class? You all are very close to making that jump.
Meredith Bennett: In the beginning we didn’t think about that, but after we placed third in the 4 Runners Championship race it became more real to us.
Hanna Doran: I honestly did not have any idea that we could be so close to being top 10, but now that we are, we are very encouraged to work even harder.
Alyssa Gaudio: If the standings are based on effort and dedication then we should be one of the best teams.
Coach Hovis: It looks as if the top 3 changes order most meets, (now it looks like Meredith is about to join in), that has to be a benefit for the team to know that someone is always going to step up?
Coach Youtz: It is a great asset to have 4 girls that can interchange spots and the team still does not miss a beat. It takes the pressure off Cissy, Heather as they know that if they have a bad race that someone will be there to step in to replace them. This is what makes us special in my opinion that we have 3-4 runners that can interchange positions and I know that they don't have to run a perfect race everytime as we have runners that can step in to carry the team on any given day.
Cissy Nitz: It’s good that the order changes because it someone doesn’t have a good run, someone else steps up.
Coach Hovis: Training must also be a lot of fun to know you have a group of girls right there with you?
Cissy Nitz: It’ great to train in a group, it really unifies us and makes us close on and off the roads.
Heather Hofmann: It’s amazing to be a part of such a great team. We have so many inside jokes and sayings that help push us through meets and practices. We are all in this together.
Coach Hovis: Is this the best team in BM history?
Coach YoutzYes, this is the best Bishop team. Cross country has never been a real big sport at Bishop, but it is catching on and we are getting a lot of attention from the school
administration.
Alyssa Gaudio: We would like to think so.
Coach Hovis: What is the relationship like among the team?
Katie Pellitteri: We have a sisterly bond.
Coach Hovis: Is there anything you would like to add?
Coach Youtz: Just from a coaching standpoint, they are a very easy team to coach and I do not have to worry about them cutting anything short. I know each and everyday I will get their best effort and that is all a coach can ask for.
Should Bishop come away with the victory on Saturday it would end a very successful season. It won’t be easy as Topsail looks to be running at the top of their game and Hayesville has been hiding in the mountains all season.
Bishop returned all of their runners from last year’s team and added a couple newcomers as
well. They have been at the top of the 1A classification all season and hope to go out in that same position. I was able to speak with members from the team as well as Coach Youtz about the season. Here’s the interview:
Coach Hovis: This is the 3rd year for Bishop in the 1A classification. You have gone from not qualifying for states, to 2nd and losing by 3 points, to being the favorites for the title. What do you contribute to this rise?
Coach Youtz: Getting the word out at the school about cross country and educating the school on the sport of cross country. Gaining numbers means being deeper and this has contributed to our success over the past few years. The girls are great athletes and are willing to get their friends out to join the team or others in the school that they feel would be good runners. I also do different workouts and activities to make cross country fun and to peak the interest of new runners. I'll bring in speakers, such as the Wake Forest XC/Track coach last year to speak to the team and this year a former teammate of mine from Ohio came down to speak to the team. The team enjoys someone besides me always talking.
Heather Hofmann: Our team is extremely dedicated. We love to work hard and push ourselves everyday.
Meredith Bennett: We train hard and run over the summer. We run a lot.
Coach Hovis: You returned the top 7 from last year and gained Katie Pellitteri, so what were your goals heading into the season?
Heather Gagnon: To win states and be undefeated in our conference.
This was the general consensus from all of the girls. Coach Youtz went on to add a few comments.
Coach Youtz: Our team goals were to make it back to state. We wanted to win conference, regionals, and contend for a state championship. We knew Topsail and Hayesville would be tough again this year. We also wanted to challenge ourselves by running against some of the best teams in the state to make us better. Our ultimate goal was to win a state championship especially since we were so close last year.
Coach Hovis: Did you think that you could be one of the top 10 teams in the state, regardless
of class? You all are very close to making that jump.Meredith Bennett: In the beginning we didn’t think about that, but after we placed third in the 4 Runners Championship race it became more real to us.
Hanna Doran: I honestly did not have any idea that we could be so close to being top 10, but now that we are, we are very encouraged to work even harder.
Alyssa Gaudio: If the standings are based on effort and dedication then we should be one of the best teams.
Coach Hovis: It looks as if the top 3 changes order most meets, (now it looks like Meredith is about to join in), that has to be a benefit for the team to know that someone is always going to step up?
Coach Youtz: It is a great asset to have 4 girls that can interchange spots and the team still does not miss a beat. It takes the pressure off Cissy, Heather as they know that if they have a bad race that someone will be there to step in to replace them. This is what makes us special in my opinion that we have 3-4 runners that can interchange positions and I know that they don't have to run a perfect race everytime as we have runners that can step in to carry the team on any given day.
Cissy Nitz: It’s good that the order changes because it someone doesn’t have a good run, someone else steps up.
Coach Hovis: Training must also be a lot of fun to know you have a group of girls right there with you?
Cissy Nitz: It’ great to train in a group, it really unifies us and makes us close on and off the roads.
Heather Hofmann: It’s amazing to be a part of such a great team. We have so many inside jokes and sayings that help push us through meets and practices. We are all in this together.
Coach Hovis: Is this the best team in BM history?
Coach YoutzYes, this is the best Bishop team. Cross country has never been a real big sport at Bishop, but it is catching on and we are getting a lot of attention from the school
administration. Alyssa Gaudio: We would like to think so.
Coach Hovis: What is the relationship like among the team?
Katie Pellitteri: We have a sisterly bond.
Coach Hovis: Is there anything you would like to add?
Coach Youtz: Just from a coaching standpoint, they are a very easy team to coach and I do not have to worry about them cutting anything short. I know each and everyday I will get their best effort and that is all a coach can ask for.
Should Bishop come away with the victory on Saturday it would end a very successful season. It won’t be easy as Topsail looks to be running at the top of their game and Hayesville has been hiding in the mountains all season.