On a bright and scorching Saturday afternoon, the Milton Middle School cross country team competed at the Rio Grande Invitational, facing one of the hardest courses of the year. With clear skies and a temperature soaring high, the conditions were very hard to push through, but they rose to the occasion for the team.

It's renowned for one big hill with a lot of dense wooded parts, really testing the stamina and grit of each runner. The most challenging part of this course came right after the steep climb when fatigue would have already begun to set in. It was at this juncture, on the edge of the woods, that I took up position in anticipation of capturing raw emotion from the athletes as they pushed through exhaustion.

The Milton Middle team ran with heart and guts, as all kids gave it their all. On a hot day, on a very challenging course, the athletes battled on with so much teamwork, giving it one's all on the course.

Parents and spectators cheered from the sidelines, proud of the efforts put in by their young athletes. Indeed, Milton Middle was ready for this challenge; every runner showed resiliency and determination that defines great teams.

The lesson of this race the team from Milton Middle School will most definitely carry with them for the rest of the cross country season-what their hard work and commitment can overcome, even if it is one of the toughest obstacles.