Sports

Cross Country: Why Runners Love The Grind

Samantha Liew, Staff Writer

November 24, 2025

The Mills Cross Country Team poses for a photo after they win at Peninsula Athletic League.

This year our cross country team has been on a roll at every meet. On November 15, 2025, the team went to the Central Coast Section (CCS) Championships. The boys varsity team placed first and the girls varsity team placed ninth in Division IV. The boys varsity team will be heading to the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Cross Country Championships on November 29, 2025, at Woodward Park.

David Eberspacher (11) has been running cross country since 8th grade. His interest sparked in cross country because his friends wanted him to join. When asked about what his mindset was, he responded saying, “You gotta stay relaxed. Don’t get too excited. You don’t want to burn out all your energy in the first mile.”

Eberspacher later added that what drives him after a difficult meet was his team. His goal is that they can win as a team and go to state and compete in future events. Speaking on the community, Eberspacher says that everyone on the team is friends and practices are really like a hangout.

Kaden Ren (12) is finishing up his senior year strong as he will be heading up to the CIF State Cross Country Championship as well. Before the race on November 15, 2025, he said that he could feel the nervous energy among the entire team. Since they were ranked number one and had a shot, there were other schools as well that were close, meaning a higher probability of another team swooping in before them in the rankings.

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Kaden Ren (12), Ethan Cabrera (12), Kevin Red (12), and David Eberspacher (11) pose for a selfie together (Felix Mapa)

Ren first described cross country as a community, as it is hard and challenging. It keeps everyone accountable to show up everyday. It is a personal challenge to see how far you are able to push yourself and set a new record.

When asked what Ren’s proudest moment from the last four years is, he says that it was winning the CCS Championship. It has been years since the boys varsity team placed first.

The Mills cross country team is currently ranked number one and hopes to stay that way. After their sweep at CCS, it seems that they have a high chance at state.

Congratulations to the Mills cross country team! Good luck to those headed to the CIF State Cross Country Championship on November 29, 2025, at Woodward Park!

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About the Contributor

Samantha Liew, Staff Writer

Samantha is a junior and is new to The Thunderbolt this year, entering as a staff writer. She has always had a passion for writing stories and now has pursued her passion and joined the team. Samantha plays a big part in the Mills Music Community, participating in Jazz Band and Symphonic Band. She decided to join the team to expand her skills in writing, plus to develop her own flow as well. In the spare time she has from all her work, she enjoys photography, drawing, golf, spending time with friends, and watching series such as: Gilmore Girls, Brooklyn 99, and Glee. Samantha is excited to be a part of The Thunderbolt community and hopes to grow her knowledge of how the media works!