On Saturday, Nov. 7, cross country runners junior Brian DiCola, freshman Lily DiCola and junior Emily Simko placed at the state championships in Hershey. Read on to find out more about HH’s cross country stars!

Brian DiCola:

Q: Do you have a favorite food you eat before a race?

A: Usually I’ll eat two wheat bagels from the Bagel and Bread house if the race is earlier in the morning. 

Q: Do you have a specific song you listen to before a race?

A: My motivation music is usually a handful of songs from the band TOOL, but I’ll also listen to the album Silent Alarm by Bloc Party, the song “Enter Sandman” by Metallica and a couple songs on The Money Store by Death Grips.

Q: When did you start getting into cross country and what do you enjoy about it?

A: I started cross country in fifth grade. My teacher, Mrs. Kiss, had two sons that ran, and I was one of the faster kids in elementary school, so I decided to join the Catholic Youth Organization, which has organized sports for kids K-8. The thing I enjoy the most about cross country is the team. Because there’s only about 25 guys, everyone gets really close.

Q: Do you have any pre-race rituals or activities you do to get you ready to run?

A: I don’t really do anything fun before a race. I run for 15 minutes and do dynamic stretches, but most people do that anyway.

Lily DiCola

Q: Do you have a favorite food you eat before a race?

A: Before a race I usually eat two eggs, half a spinach bagel from Bagel and Bread House and a banana.

Q: Do you have a specific song you listen to before a race?

A: I listen to Tame Impala “The Less I Know The Better” before every race

Q: When did you start getting into cross country and what do you enjoy about it?

A: I started cross country in third grade. I enjoy running in nature and getting to close with everyone on my team.

Q: Do you have any pre-race rituals or activities you do to get you ready to run?

A: The day before a race, my team will usually do a fun activity. We did a scavenger hunt a few times in which we ran with a teammate and found a location based on a clue our coach gave us, and another time we did an Easter egg hunt. 

Emily Simko

Q: Do you have a favorite food you eat before a race?

A: My go-to breakfast before a race is a plain bagel toasted with butter! Then closer to the race, I’ll always have a banana and, if I’m still hungry, a strawberry Nutri-Grain bar.

Q: Do you have a specific song you listen to before a race?

A: My team and I always get pumped up before our races with music! Some of our favorites are “Fergalicious” and “Hollaback Girl.”

Q: When did you start getting into cross country and what do you enjoy about it?

A: I started running cross country in ninth grade, but I ran track all throughout middle school.  Running cross country in high school is definitely one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’ve made so many good friends and have so many fun memories with my teammates!

Q: Do you have any pre-race rituals or activities you do to get you ready to run?

A: Some pre-race rituals I have are always taping up my spikes, rolling out my legs and dancing and doing a cheer with my teammates.