Assumption girls cross-country members cap season with trip to Nike Cross Nationals

For Assumption's girls cross-country team, the terrain doesn't matter as much as the experience.

"Having one last cross-country trip all together is going to be huge," said senior Reagan Gilmore, a Florida commit. "We could go to the desert all together and do nothing, and I still think it would be one of the best trips just because of the group."

The team's final trip is scheduled for Portland, Oregon, in the Nike Cross Nationals on Saturday.

At nationals, they will enter as the No. 18 cross-country team in the nation and compete under the team name Louisville Cross Country. KHSAA rules prevent them from using the high school's name after the season ends.

Barry Haworth has been Assumption's cross-country coach since 2004, but he started working as an assistant coach on the track and field team in 1999.

"The key to having a successful program is for everyone to find a role for the girls on the team. In our case, it means developing a connection to one another and just simply loving what they do," said Haworth, who has led Assumption to eight state championships.

"If you can develop a culture where the kids love what they do. They recognize that it's difficult, but despite that, they love what they do, and they're willing to run hard, dream big and not be afraid to fail. You can succeed."

On Nov. 15, the girls finished second in the NXR Southeast Regional to qualify for nationals.

They competed under the team name Derby City AC.

Assumption previously competed in the Nike Cross Nationals in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

The 2011 team was the first in Kentucky to qualify for nationals, and the tradition remains strong.

"We've said from the beginning of the season, like we want to qualify for nationals, we want to see our team get there," said Gilmore, who finished third in the Class 3A state meet and third in the NXR Southeast Regional.

"To be the leaders on the team and see that happen. It's so special, especially with this group of girls."

Julia Schmitt has been Gilmore's running partner for the last three years. She has decided to stay close to home and run at Louisville.

"We're super excited. We worked really hard to get here," Schmitt said.

She is close to her family and goes to her grandparents' house every Sunday. She would like to continue that tradition.

Lila Bensenhaver, who ran the third-fastest time on the team, is also a senior and will run at Liberty next year.

"As the youngest, I look up to their leadership and just like their positivity with everyone, and just seeing them go out and lead the team is super inspiring," sophomore Mabel George said.

The forecast Saturday in Portland is for rain and wind up to 10 mph, but the Assumption runners and their coach said they will be ready after training in Kentucky's chilly climes.

The girls will embrace the experience no matter the outcome and enjoy their last trip running together, going to Nike headquarters and meeting girls from other teams who love running as much as they do.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: NIke Cross Nationals: Assumption runners head to Portland for meet