For the first time ever, the Riordan Cross Country Team won the Central Coast Section Championship. On Nov. 11 the team set out to Crystal Springs, Belmont, where they claimed their victory in the Division IV race, which was against 10 other schools. The news was announced to the school the following Monday. 

Benny Willers ’08, who has been a Cross Country coach for 11 years, was ecstatic when he found out his team won. 

“It’s always been the goal and something that I’ve wanted to accomplish is to win a CCS championship,” he said. “I was super happy but I also didn’t know how to react in that moment because I was feeling all kinds of different emotions.”

Varsity runner Will Parker ’24 felt similarly, saying, “I was thankful of all my teammates and all the hard work we’ve put in.” 

He also expressed his gratitude for Collin Murtagh ’22, describing him as “an idol and a role model.” 

He also added, “This is as much his championship as it is mine.”

Eva Abbott ’25 finished in 7th place out of 95 in the Division IV Girls race. She was the only Crusader to compete in the race. 

“A lot of people were shocked I even made it this far,” she said, reflecting on her past year in Cross Country.

She has shown steady improvement from running an average mile of 7:29.1 on Oct. 7, to 7:06.6 on Nov. 1, and now at 6:36.0.

The team will continue to practice to continue their reputation as one of the hardest-working groups on campus. As Parker said, “Respect is earned.”