Sports
Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School Senior Wins Montgomery County Cross Country Championship
3rd consecutive win for teen, who advances to Regionals on Thursday.
Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School senior Nora McUmber won her third consecutive Montgomery County Cross Country Championship last Saturday, October 18, finishing 30 seconds faster than her next competitor.
McUmber won the race in 18:12:19; Churchill senior Lucy Srour placed second in 18:41.92 and Clarksburg senior Lucie Noall finished third in 18:49.88.
The meet took place on a beautiful, sunny day at Gaithersburg High School, after a night of heavy rainfall. Fortunately, the race course was dry in time for the meet, making for great running conditions.
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Asked whether or not she was nervous before the meet, McUmber said, ‘I’m always pretty nervous before any race, but I was especially so before this one, because Montgomery County has so many good runners!’
She adds: ‘Walter Johnson is probably BCC’s biggest competitor in cross country, but Lucie Srour from Churchill is also an amazing runner . Luckily, we’re all friends after attending so many meets together and also attending a summer running camp, so it’s fun, too!’
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“Being on the Cross Country Team has definitely been one of the best experiences and opportunities I have ever had - and it is much more than just running. We really support one another and have great friendships. We have theme days where will will all wear a certain color or dress a particular way. When not running and while traveling to meets, we help each other with homework. On the Friday nights before Saturday meets, we get together at someone’s house and have pasta dinners. I was nervous about attending BCC because I was coming from a small school and thought BCC was going to be too big. A family friend recommended that I join the XC team because the kids on the team and coaches are really nice and because it is a supportive community that also help you to develop a love for a life long sport. Definitely right! I’m really glad and lucky that I’ve been part of such a great team.”
Regionals take place next Thursday, October 30 at Clarksburg High School in Clarksburg, Maryland. McUmber says she’s nervous for this race too, but she’s also looking forward to it, because it’s the day before Halloween, so there’s no school the next day. ‘That makes for a more relaxed atmosphere,’ she explains, ‘so it will be even more fun than usual.’