WEB EXCLUSIVE The Convent and Stuart Hall cross-country runners and coaches will gather in the Columbus Room at the Pine-Octavia Campus for the annual Cross-Country Banquet this evening.

The banquet completes the season and a way to show gratitude and recognition for coaches and athletes, according to cross-country coach Alyson Barrett-Ryan.

“Coaching cross-country is always amazing,” Barrett-Ryan said. “I feel like we had a particularly stunning season this year, which will be reflected at the banquet.

All runners have been assigned a teammate to write something positive about, which will be shared during the banquet. Through these messages, everyone will be recognized at the banquet, which is the team’s last gathering of the season.

“This season was really fun,” freshman Katrina Demesa said. “The team was really welcoming, it’s like a big family.”

The team improvement and bonded well as a whole very well, according to Laluyaux.  

“The team didn’t feel that big because we were so well bonded,” freshman Raphaelle Laluyaux said. “After a little bit, everyone knew each other really well, which was perfect.”

The banquet will recognize the team as a whole while also award specific girls and boys as the most valuable players and the most improved players, according to Barrett-Ryan.

“The runners always do a wonderful job recognizing each other and the coaches,” Barrett-Ryan said. “It’s an amazing way for us all to be grateful for each other and for the season we’ve had and to put a cap on the end of the season.”