Last school year, Mr. Derek Cummiskey and Mr. Chris Kelley met with the future 2001 Cross Country team in the PAC.

Cummiskey explained, "Mount Carmel Cross Country has won four consecutive state championships, and we're hoping that next year will be our fifth.  The theme for this year is 'Drive for Five.'"

Inspired by these words, the girls set an ambitious goal to drive for the fifth consecutive state championship.  Less than a year later, after a summer of training, daily practices and multiple speed workouts, the team fulfilled their goal to "drive for five."

Seven girls state championships were held on Nov. 14, and Mount Carmel was the only team to have all of its runners run the two mile course in under 13:00.

Exceeding the barriers of physical exertion is not the only factor that makes the team such a successful one.  There is also a great deal of unity and sisterhood among team members.  When girls are running in a race and a teammate begins to fall behind, there is always encouragement offered on both the course and the sidelines to bring the teammate back to the front.

Perhaps the most important aspect of the team is the girls' faith in God.  Spirituality is at the heart of the team, unifying the runners with each other and God.  A prayer is said before every race without fail.  Girls turn to God in the most challenging parts of a race, offering up their pain.

Hopefully the cycle of exceptional Cross Country teams at Mount Carmel will continue with the addition of new runners each year.  This year's freshmen proved themselves capable of becoming the future top runners, and the spirit of the team is sure to carry on through the years.