Jamie Hershfang (sr) became Payton's first city cross country champion by winning the girls varsity race.
The right girl won the Varsity Girl’s race at the City Championship this weekend at Washington Park. Jaime Hershfang has been waiting a year to take home the victory, from October of 2009 when she placed 6th in the city with a time of 19:06. This year she improved on the same course by 38 seconds with arguably less competition. Although she may never say she is satisfied with her times, winning city meant a great deal to her. Jaime is one of the most competitive and hard working runners I know. She spent all summer training to make up for her disappointing 2009 cross country season in which she did not meet her expectation at Sectionals or State. Her 2009 season was plagued by inconsistent coaching and each race seemed to physically and emotionally drain her.
Ironically, a coaching change and a fresh mindset have led to Jaime’s success this season. Although I didn’t think it was possible, she came into this cross country season in even better shape than she was the year prior. In the beginning of the season when most of her competition was just getting back in shape, she was going on long runs averaging close to 7:00 flat per mile. Even on base days she always has the desire to push the pace and drop time. In her last year at Payton, she is leading arguably the best Varsity girl’s team Payton has ever had and hopefully all of them and not just Jaime can be running in November.
- Jonathan Kamel
Payton, class of 2012
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