Student Spotlight: Olivia Bing

By Madison O’Leary

Council Rock North offers a wide range of sports for students to play including basketball, football, baseball, track & field, soccer, tennis, lacrosse, and swimming among others. However, some sports get more recognition than others in the athletic community, and not everyone sees how much work goes into some of the lesser-known sports—specifically cross country. 
North’s girls’ cross-country team is one of the top teams in the state, and the team doesn’t always get the attention it deserves for all of the team’s hard work and achievements. So varsity runner Olivia Bing offers some insight into this less-heralded sport.

Q: How long have you been on the cross country team and what made you decide to join?
Olivia BING: “I have been on the team for three years now, and I decided to join my freshman year because I enjoyed running the distance races on the middle school track team.”

Q: What is your favorite part of cross country?
BING: “I enjoy spending time with my teammates every day at practice. I also love having fun conversations during long runs.”

Q: How has this had a positive impact on your life?
BING: “The team has made me learn about who I am as a person and an athlete, and it has helped me become a better person because I am competing for my team, not just myself.”

Q: How have you been dealing with the pressure of this season?
BING: “I get very nervous and anxious easily, and it has been rough for me the first half of the season after the successes of last season, but I’ve just reminded myself why I do this sport, and that I compete on the team because I enjoy doing it. I also have been trusting my coaches and my training, and it has caused me to keep track of my individual goals and my team goals for the season.”

Q: What is the most rewarding part of being on such a competitive team?
BING: “The best part of being on this team is the reward of accomplishing a goal that me or my team has been working extremely hard to achieve.”

Q: What are you looking forward to at Leagues this year?
BING: “I’m looking forward to being on the Lehigh course again, since it is my favorite course. Of course, there are some nerves when competing in a big meet like this, but I feel confident that my training all season will pay off and I can achieve my goals and help lead my team.”

Q: Do you plan to continue running after high school?
BING: “I really enjoy cross-country, so hopefully I can run in college, whether I join the team or just run in a club. Hopefully, I can also improve my track times this year so I can possibly compete on the track team in college.”
The cross-country team competed in their annual League Championship on October 18th at Lehigh University. Also, the team has a good chance of going to the State Championship this year, so let’s wish the girls, Coach Abbott, and Coach Mahoney the best of luck.

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