We held a special all-school assembly today for Orchard’s Cross Country (XC) teams. To say they've had an outstanding season is a huge understatement. 

 

It was an EPIC season!

 

All in all, Orchard XC won two Beech Grove Invitational titles, a state championship, a state runner-up honor, an individual state title, and two IISL XC Championships (6th year in a row for the girls and 4th in a row for the boys). Orchard also had five All-State Team runners!

 

It was an autumn when every single athlete on the squad achieved noteworthy progress, mentally and physically.

 

Read more below from Athletic Director and XC Coach Justin Burris, as he recalls the night Orchard won a state title.

*pictures follow Justin's write-up

 

“As 2,096 athletes from numerous schools across the state of Indiana came together to participate in the Indiana Middle School Cross Country Championships, the Orchard athletes had big plans for the day. The competition was top-shelf; the atmosphere was inviting and intimidating; the forecast was crisp and perfect for racing; and our preparation was calculated with deliberate intentions. 

 

October 5, 2019, was a day with efforts that would rewrite the record books, would make history of all sorts, and would create memories to last a lifetime. That Saturday delivered the greatest of athletic accolades - a state championship - to our school, as our girls’ efforts secured the title of being Indiana’s very best cross country team, beating runner-up West Noble by an impressive 47 points. Our guys pulled out all the stops and brought home the Runner-up trophy when a Top-5 finish would have been impressive. Spectators also bore witness to the crowning of Orchard’s first ever Indiana Middle School Cross Country Individual Champion when Cameron Todd completely torched the field, winning the biggest race of the season by an astounding 14 seconds. 

 

In this moment, I reflect, recollect, and ponder on the unfolding of the 2019 season at its conclusion. I can’t help but feel remarkably proud and rather satisfied, which is a tough order for me, about our actions taken, plans executed, communications made, changes invoked, conversations had, and outcomes earned. What we were able to do collectively this season was something undeniably special. I am proud to call myself a coach of these children, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity.”