Our eyes pop as we roll into Belleville. The sun shines on a cross country course groomed as never before. The grassy path appears short and freshly mowed, white lines guide the runners along the entire 5 kilometer race, long stretches of yellow and blue pennants mark the turns, tall poles sport red (go left) and yellow (go right) flags at each turn. The challenge remains hidden: the hill in the woods. Twice the athletes slip up the dirt path and twice they descend the rocky, root strewn backside before breaking out of the woods and returning to fast grass-ways.

Sophomore Lily Maynard...