The hot sun blisters the back of her neck. Sweat runs down her forehead. The finish line ahead seems to get farther away with each step. Finally, after ages, she crosses the finish line, breathless and happy to be done with another 5k.

     Senior Olivia Wolff continues her fourth year running cross country for NHS. Although she is not at the front of the pack, she is not giving up. Wolff initially joined the cross country team her freshman year of high school because her parents said she needed to be more active. But after the first year, she found it was worth continuing.

     “I love the spaghetti dinners, the team bonfires, cross country camp and the Secret Sisters Week before we go on our overnight,” Wolff said.

     The fun and games are not the only reason she continued. Wolff’s teammates played a large part as well.

      “I made friends and enjoyed the comradery of it,” Wolff said. “I love how everyone supports each other no matter where you are on the team.”

     Wolff continues to run because of the people on the team. But her teammates rely on her for support and strength, both mentally and physically.

     “Even on [Wolff’s] worst day she’ll never cut the workout short or go the short way…she just keeps on going,” junior team captain Susanna Sharples-Gordon said.

     Sharples-Gordon noted she did not know if she would be able to act the same way if put in Wolff’s position.

     “It inspires me how she runs for herself not for the glorification,” Sharples-Gordon said.

     Wolff’s teammates are not the only ones to notice her commitment. Coach Dennis Scheele recognizes the effect of Wolff’s mental attitude.     

     “[The athletes] are good students, work hard, and [Wolff] exemplifies the whole group of girls we have,” Scheele said.

     After Wolff graduates, the team will lose a strong and dedicated mindset.

     “There are people who are natural leaders,” Sharples-Gordon said. “There are people who lead by example. But there’s an emotional and mental leader. That mentality is what benefits the team.”

     The first cross country meet was Saturday August 22. The team took first in the relay, demolishing the competition.