It was nearly 9pm when the boys of Western Reserve Academy's cross country team returned to campus from Saltsburg, Pennsylvania. Rain fell lightly as the team lined up in front of the victory bell—freshmen first, captains last—each taking a turn to ring it in the glow of headlights. After a long day and a long season, the sound was both familiar and deeply satisfying: five years in a row, Reserve has beaten the Kiski School.
Earlier that afternoon, on Kiski's demanding course—a looping 5K around the school's golf course that climbs a steep hill twice before plunging back toward the start—Reserve had come to win, and they did. Times, on such terrain, mattered little. What mattered was resolve, and Reserve displayed it in every stage of the race, defeating Kiski decisively, 58–18.
For the uninitiated, cross country scoring rewards depth and discipline: the first five finishers from each team count toward the score, with points corresponding to finishing place. The team with the lowest total wins, and every runner you pass adds to the opposing team's tally.
At Kiski, Reserve took control early and never looked back. James Johnston '27 led wire-to-wire, claiming first place in 18:01. Brendan Bennett '28 followed in third (18:26), while Ian Fleming '27 (19:59), Rian Arora '26 (20:16), and Victor Wang '26 (20:25) sealed the victory with a sweep of the next three scoring spots.
But Reserve's real strength came from its depth: seven runners finished ahead of Kiski's fifth man, ensuring an insurmountable lead. Daniel Randazzo '27 (20:31), Leo Wang '27 (20:34), Ronan Flower '28 (21:07), Arav Mathur '28 (21:08), and Grant Adams '26 (21:13) each ran strong races that reinforced the team's dominance. Harry Xu '28 (21:59) and Wen Xiao '27 (22:57) completed the pack's effort, each contributing to the sweep that made the 58-18 margin possible.
Beyond those scorers, the meet was a testament to participation and perseverance. Every runner on the roster competed in at least one race this season—a mark of full commitment that defines the team's culture. At Kiski, that collective spirit was on full display.
Maverick Geraghty '29 (24:25) led the next wave, followed by Tristan Karhl '26 (25:25), Tyler Omega '28 (26:02), Shane Deng '26 (26:23), and Peter Qin '29 (29:31). Rounding out the race, Alex Wang '28 (30:31), Justin Yin '28 (31:37), Kendel Barber '28 (31:41), Henry Shelton '28 (36:49), and Emanuel Sheng '28 (39:59) all completed the course, with Sheng finishing his first race in Reserve colors—a meaningful milestone for the team's final meet.
Special recognition also went to the team's longtime manager, Jason Li '26, who ran his first and only race of the season, finishing his Reserve career in 25:09—a fitting conclusion to four years of steadfast dedication.
The day carried weight for the seniors—Rian Arora, Victor Wang, Jason Li, Tristan Karhl, Grant Adams, and Shane Deng—each of whom closed their final cross country season with a victory. For Arora, Wang, and Li, the meet marked the culmination of four years in Reserve's program—a testament to their steady commitment and leadership. That dedication, both on the course and in the locker room, has helped define the team's identity as one grounded in persistence, inclusivity, and pride.
Even amid the triumph, there were reminders of cross country's unpredictability: freshman Phineas Haskell '29 took a fall shortly after the first mile and felt unable to continue, a frustrating end to an otherwise successful season.
When the buses finally rolled back into Hudson, the rain had begun again. The boys gathered around the bell, one by one, tired but steady, their effort amplified by the bell ringing out into the dark. In that moment—more than in any finish time or scoreline—the season's story was clear: unity and the quiet discipline of giving just 1% more, day after day, again and again.
Note: Generative AI helped to draft this story. It was revised, reviewed and edited by the Boys' XC coaching staff.
