CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC CROSS COUNTRY TEAMS CONTINUE TO EXCEL

Charlotte Catholic Cross Country Practice Photos

Dedication, Endurance and Inner Strength are three qualities every cross country runner must have to succeed on the race course.  At Charlotte Catholic High School, these qualities are shared by a large majority of the 95 members of the Men and Women’s teams.  Led by Head Coach Susan Airheart, The Cougar Men and Women teams are both currently ranked second in the NC High School 3A Cross Country Poll.  Coach Airheart, in her 11th year at Catholic has seen the program rise from having only a few members to become a state championship caliber team year in and year out.

“We have a very strong program here at Catholic. A lot of our kids are year round runners.  We have been building to this point for 11 years and I am really proud of our team.”

This past weekend, The Cougars traveled to Atlanta for a large invitational meet.  Senior Johnathan Sunde, last year’s 3A state runner-up, captured the win. Senior Dean Iwoka finished second and improved his time by three minutes from the same meet last year.  Mark Lascara also ran a very strong race for the Cougars.  Those three lead the Men’s team this season.

On the Ladies side, Maggie McBride is the leading runner in only her first season running cross country. The Junior has been phenomenal in early season competitions.  Senior Mary Anne Carter has been a role model for her teammates.  She started running as a Sophomore and became a year round runner, Mary Anne logs more miles than any runner on the Cougars roster.  Jessie O’Connell, a Senior, has been named All-State the last two seasons and Abby Osborn has overcome heath issues from the last few seasons to be one of the Cougars top runners this season.

The Ladies Team won three straight 2A State Titles and finished third in the 3A State Meet last season.  The Ladies have their aim set on another state title this year.

“Our runners are all like family,” said Coach Airheart. “They all talk about how the team enjoys being a close group.  Many of the kids train together year round.  The last four years our program has really grown closer as a family.  We have a lot of siblings that are now running for us.”

Coach Airheart is assisted on the team by coaches Frank Shea and Brian McMahon.

Continued success to the Cougars Cross Country Teams.