The ERHS Raiders Cross Country team is back and ready to run. As the fall season kicks off with a meet on September 16, coaches and runners alike are determined to win titles.

Last year, the Raiders women’s team won the county championship and regional championships. The Raiders men’s team won the county championship, with 7 of the first 11 runners to finish being from Roosevelt, but placed second in regionals, losing to Bowie. In states, however, the men’s team finished in 16th place, while the women’s team finished 20th.

According to Coach Robert Stevens, the turnout for the summer running training was immense. It was completely optional and voluntary, but many people showed up. That’s progress and that’s how they expect to be ready for the season. Coach Andrew Zanghi said that some runners even went to camp over summer. In order to maintain their physical well being, women’s varsity runner  senior Caroline Ahalt says she runs about 30 miles a week, and men’s fastest junior Edward Belsoi says he runs about 60 miles a week, 11 mile runs at a 6:40 pace, and 6-7 mile runs at a 6:20 pace.

Both coaches said they are confident for this year; the men’s team has not lost any of its varsity runners and there is a lot of new talent coming in to join the women’s team. They both said they expect nothing less than county titles, regional titles, and improvement in states. Northwestern High School cross country and track coach Kenneth Washington seems to agree. “They’re gonna win it all this year, why? Because they’ve got everybody returning, and by everybody, I mean everybody.” States, however, are certainly harder to win.

Junior Bryce Dubayah said he believes they placed “reasonably well at state competition” last year, saying the ultimate goal for this season is to be more competitive at the state level. Varsity runner, senior Timothy Crane, agreed, saying that the goal this year is to place at least top 5 in states, while Caroline Ahalt said their goal is to place in at least the top 15.