To be clear, cross country isn't the greatest of spectator sports.

The runners go into the wild – past ponds and water, over and into fields, sometimes disappearing entirely from view.

If that isn't enough, our teams even train off campus – sometimes at the river – and can often be found, if you look hard enough, behind the church across the street or in subdivisions off Mt. Vernon.

Perhaps that's what put the extra enthusiasm into Senior Night Thursday, as both the girls' and boys' squads were put in full view – front and center – and given the showcase attention they deserve in a fun-filled afternoon.

There were signs, cards, microphones and music.

Parents, photographers, classmates, athletes from other teams and teachers were on hand.

Even the hot weather seemed to take a back seat, as if in appreciation.

And as for the running, well, this perhaps made up for all those times during the season when loved ones were somewhere down the course and out of view.

Case in point: During the girls' one-mile race, the juniors – in front and coming down the stretch – created a bridge with their hands while the seniors ran through it.

Our boys' upperclassmen crossed the line backwards.
For the record, all of this was self-created, student-driven and played out by the student-athletes.

Fifteen girls ran, as did 18 boys, though the paces and times weren't really the issue.

All in all, there were 15 seniors on the two squads combined, and all were recognized later in a special ceremony.

Harris Bradford, Gavin Campos, and Brent and Chase Warbington represented the senior boys.

Representing the girls were Blair Huber, Beatrice Jones, Sasha Thompson, Lily Miller, Anaya Ellison, Eliana Gerbi, Grace Simpson and Caroline Davis.

The seniors got their goodie bags, posed for pictures with friends, teammates, coaches and parents, and generally got the sort of attention that cross country runners don't always get.

M.C. Hammer and other artists provided the soundtrack.

And the weather?
Fall seems to be in danger of actually breaking through.

Maybe that was appropriate.

Because when the day was broken down, cleaned up and everyone finally headed home, it had been a pretty good reminder that sometimes the best part of cross country is not watching the runners disappear.

It's getting the chance to see them.

And on Thursday, they were right there – front and center.

Which made "a great day to be a Golden Bear" a lot more than just a saying.