More Than a Race: The Unbreakable Spirit of Awty's SPC Cross Country Champions

A Story of Strategy, Sacrifice, and the Team That Becomes Family

When Team Captains Felipe Beltran ('27) and Farrah Al-Fahl ('26) crossed the finish line as champions at the recent SPC Cross Country Championships, they carried something with them that goes far beyond individual medals—the spirit of a team that's become family.

This is the story of how Awty Cross Country transforms athletes into strategic, mentally tough champions who lift each other, even when they're physically spent.

The Forge: Building Strength in the Dark

Ask any member of the Cross Country team what their day looks like, and they'll tell you: it starts at 6:00 AM. Rain or shine, these athletes show up in the dark for grueling speed intervals and long runs that test every limit. But for Farrah and Felipe, this shared struggle isn't just about building endurance—it's about building bonds.

"We wake up together. We're all struggling, we're all in the same thing," Felipe explains. "It’s here we build our connection."

That connection goes beyond the miles. Just before the SPC championship, Felipe organized a formal team dinner—complete with coaches and suits—to strengthen their family when it mattered most. The boys maintain a shared Spotify playlist filled with music from around the world: French songs, Spanish hits, and right now, Bad Bunny on repeat. It's a morning routine that reflects who they are: international, diverse, and ready to run together. They’re Awty Rams.

The coaches run alongside them too, pacing the team, pushing them through race simulations, and making sure every runner is prepared for their best performance.

Farrah calls it "the best sports team at Awty," and she means it. As captains, both she and Felipe make it their mission to ensure every new member feels like they belong. "It's about being the most supportive, consistent presence for every teammate," Felipe says simply.

Mental Warfare: 70% of the Race is in Your Mind

Cross Country may look like an individual sport, but at the championship level, it's a masterclass in mental toughness and strategy.

Farrah estimates that 70% of the race is mental. Her strategy? "Lock onto the person in front of you, push past them, and then mentally tell yourself, 'They won't come back.'" And this year at the SPC Championship, they sure didn’t, as she took first place.

Felipe demonstrated this mental fortitude at regionals, running alone out front for the entire race. What kept him going? His team.

"I had to dig deep," he says. "I just did it for my teammates and for my coaches, and I was able to get the win."

Running for the Unit: The Power of the Pack

In Cross Country, the scoring system rewards teamwork: the lower your team's combined score, the better. This means runners work as a pack, pushing one another to secure the best possible placing for their team.

But the most powerful display of team unity happens after the race is over. Even when they're physically spent, these athletes use their remaining adrenaline to run back to the course and cheer on their teammates who are about to begin the next race.

"We always cheer each other on, even when totally exhausted," Farrah says. "We run to the start line to cheer them on, we follow them around the course... It's like a whole family."

When asked what she'll remember most about this season, Farrah doesn't hesitate: "The team. The whole team's vibe is so iconic. No other sport has a team this connected."

The Awty Advantage: Where Global Meets Gritty

The determination these athletes develop on the course translates directly into Awty's rigorous academic environment. Both captains have mastered the balance of demanding academics and high-level athletics by treating both with the same competitive mindset.

Their stories are deeply Awty. Farrah's mother is an alumna from the Class of 1997, making this championship a beautiful continuation of family legacy. Felipe's parents are runners, and he often joins them on weekend runs—family time that doubles as training and builds his love for the sport.

As an Arabic student at an international school, Farrah felt pride standing on that podium at the SPC Championship, representing her culture and the diversity of our community. Felipe, whose family is from Colombia, shares that experience. These are athletes from all over the world who thrive at Awty—and who represent us with pride.

The Awty community shows up for them, too. Teachers make themselves available to help athletes stay on top of academics. Mr. Oden is a regular presence at races, cheering from the sidelines. It's what we do at Awty—we show up for each other. “I was a swimmer in high school and college, so I know the discipline required to do the 6 a.m. practices and the resilience required to do distance events. I love the Awty Cross Country program, from our amazing head coaches, Ben and Kassidi, through our champions Felipe and Farrah, all the way down to the 6th graders who started training this season. It’s a family!”

Behind it all is an exceptional coaching staff led by Head Coach Ben Matthews and Assistant Coaches Molly McCullough and Elliot Blake—all former collegiate teammates who bring deep, shared knowledge to the program.

"They know what we're going through," Felipe says. "They know what you need to do well. In races, they're telling you what you need to hear."

Inspiring the Next Generation

For Felipe and Farrah, the biggest win isn't just standing on the podium—it's building a program that welcomes everyone and inspires the next generation of Rams. Both were warmly welcomed onto the team and mentored by Rams, who have since graduated and moved on to college. Now, they're committed to keeping this tradition alive and maintaining the team's strength by passing along the same care and mentorship to incoming freshmen.

"The cross country environment is very welcoming and nice to new people who come in," Farrah notes. "It's a true family atmosphere."

Felipe models his leadership after former teammate Edgar ('25), who taught him always to pay attention to the freshmen and the slower runners, and to build them up. "What and Gabe are trying to do is model after him and keep that going," he says.

Their message to younger students is simple but powerful:

Farrah: "I hope it inspires people: 'You can do it. Get what you want. Be determined.'"

Felipe: "I want them to know that your hard work is going to show. You just have to trust the process."

Just For Fun: The Runner's Toolkit

What fuels these champions off the course?

Category	Felipe Beltran ('27)	Farrah Al-Fahl ('26)
Race Day Shoes	Nike Dragonflies (spikes)	Saucony Speed Roll 4
Training Shoes	New Balance Rebel V3s & Nike Vaporflies	Saucony Speed Roll 4 (in different colors!)
Go-To Music	The boys' shared Spotify playlist (Spanish, French, Bad Bunny)	"Sunflower" from Spider-Man by Post Malone

Join the Family: Support Awty Cross Country!

The Awty Cross Country team runs to represent the strength and spirit of our entire community—and to inspire the next generation of Ram athletes.

We invite all Awty students, families, faculty, and alumni to come experience the incredible atmosphere and passion of this team firsthand. Come see the speed, the strategy, and the unforgettable moment when these champions finish their race and immediately turn around to lift their teammates.

Be there for the next run. Go Rams!

January 2026 Articles