By Braydon McKendrick ‘26 

The Brother Rice cross country team is hitting its stride, just in time for the playoffs. With the Chicago Catholic League meet this weekend followed by regionals and sectionals, the Crusaders are ready to prove how much they’ve grown over the past few months.

Junior Andrew Straley has led the way all season and is currently ranked top 20 in the state, has helped set the tone for a motivated and determined team. His consistency and leadership have inspired his teammates as they enter the most important part of the schedule.

The group’s preparation has been relentless. They’ve spent weeks grinding through hard workouts, pacing sessions, and recovery runs, while staying focused on what lies ahead.

“The team has great preparation for the CCl meet with our hard workouts, smooth runs, and good pacing workouts,” said senior Oliver Davis. “Everything has gone well, and even people fighting injuries still perform well on runs and workouts.”

That resilience has been a defining trait for Brother Rice this season. Despite challenges, the runners have kept a strong mindset, maintaining focus on steady improvement.

Team chemistry has also become a major strength. Davis said training with top teammates pushes everyone to alleviate their performance.

“Training with Leary is nice because during runs, we’re around the same speed; running with Straley is always fun because he makes me feel smooth during my runs,” Davis said.

As the season progressed, the Crusaders growth was visible both on the course and in their bond as a team.

“We have definitely grown a lot since the beginning of the season,” Davis added. “Most of the team has had great PRs, and the team chemistry has definitely grown a lot. I’m excited to see what this team has to bring for the championship season.”

That excitement is shared across the roster. Senior Aidan Leary said he feels ready to perform his best.

“I’m excited for the cooler weather in these next few weeks and to finally be in the best shape for the year,” said Leary.

With momentum building and confidence rising, the Brother Rice runners are focused on finishing strong. Their preparation, teamwork, and leadership have put them in position to compete with some of the best programs in Illinois. 

As the postseason begins, one thing is clear: This year’s team isn’t just running races; they’re building something special.