By Deemah Pulak

Dirt and dust clouded the morning air as senior Bilaacha Galgalo raced over the rough ground and crossed the finish line to place second at the district cross country meet.

On November 8, Galgalo represented Richardson at the Regional Cross Country Meet, advancing from District with a personal record of 19 minutes, 54 seconds.

“I was really proud of myself because it showed everything that I accomplished over the season,” Galgalo said. “Crossing that finish line after all you’ve practiced feels great.”

Coach Elizabeth Brown has been coaching cross country for seven years at Richardson. She said she treats cross country as a team sport rather than as an individual sport.

“I love seeing these student-athletes befriending others who they may never have known before, but became friends because of cross country,” Brown said. “We have created a true family atmosphere within our team.”

Galgalo said that her teammates push her to do well.

“I definitely feel like my team was more together this year than previous years,” Galgalo said. “We were more organized and more of a family. If it wasn’t for them, I don’t think I’d come every day and push myself like I do.”

Brown said Galgalo behaves as a captain with integrity and as a servant leader.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the athlete and young lady she has become the last four years I have coached her,” Brown said. “She is compassionate toward her teammates, focused on her academics and continually strives to improve.”

Galgalo said running brings out her competitive nature, temporarily replacing her shyness.

“I guess in a way I’m aggressive because I really want to aim to get that top three or to win the race,” Galgalo said. “I just try to go out there and have fun, but winning’s on my mind.”

Cross country runner senior Karen Huerta said that Galgalo would push herself every day at practice and put 100 percent of her energy into it.

“She would run with varsity guys and stick up with them to get better, which is honestly something that most girls can’t even do,” Huerta said.

Although Galgalo didn’t place at Regionals, she said competing has helped her develop a stronger character.

“We came together, and mentally and physically I felt I improved,” Galgalo said. “There’s a mental block that usually causes you to push yourself the hardest.”

Huerta said Galgalo’s positivity and encouragement made her work harder.

“You can say that she would always be my motivation,” Huerta said. “I’d always want to try and keep up with her, and she’d always be encouraging to me. I would always look up to her. She helped build me up to become a better runner.”

After four years of coaching Galgalo, Brown has seen her grow athletically and personally.

“When she is not achieving her absolute best, she is aware of her weaknesses and works hard to overcome them,” Brown said. “She is a natural leader and exudes integrity with everything she encounters.”

Brown said that every year she hopes to send students to the highest levels of competition.

“My expectation for the team is that we continue to improve, continue to recruit the best runners at RHS, and continue to compete at Regionals and hopefully State,” Brown said.

Galgalo said that the practice in has taught her discipline, both athletically and academically.

“Definitely during the peaks of our season, it’s hard to balance everything out, but I just try to not focus too much in one area,” Galgalo said. “Don’t be too overwhelmed in one thing and forget the other.”

Galgalo has advanced to Regionals in cross country each year since she was a freshman either as a team member or individually.

“I really hoped for state this year, but unfortunately that didn’t happen,” Galgalo said. “It was definitely kind of a disappointment for me, but in general the season was really good – especially because of our coaches who have helped me to prepare mentally and physically. It’s really sad that the season passed by so fast.”

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