On the crisp morning of Sept. 26, the Francis Howell Central cross country team arose for one of the most difficult courses of the season, Sioux Passage, considered by runners across the nation as being one of the most intense courses in America, the course contains a multitude of steep inclined hills that test a runners strength and stamina. The first real challenge for new runners on the team, the course is considered a write of passage, an obstacle to be overcome and draw individuals closer into the team. While the team as a whole did not achieve any high placement, not coming in a top three position, a multitude of runners medaled, and the event truly showed new runners what they can accomplish if they push themselves to the limit.

Freshman runner, Liam Nachtrab explains what the course is like.

“Sioux Passage is a cross country course which most people say is a difficult course,” Nachtrab says, “It’s got a lot of hills that make it challenging, like ‘Man-Maker’, but you’ve just gotta push through it.” 

A challenging endeavor, the hills have come to be named by athletes, the most difficult being known as “Man-Maker” and “Titan”. Both hills renowned for the challenges they set up for runners have prepared the Francis Howell Central team for the rest of the season to come. With the Warrington Invitational on Friday, Sept. 27, the team will continue their movement forward.