SODA SPRINGS -- For Soda Springs High School senior Ellie Wood, crossing the finish line as district champion wasn't just the end of a race -- it was a defining moment where years of dedication, grit and love for the sport culminated in a win.
Wood ended her high school district career by claiming the title at the 3A Cross Country district meet last Wednesday at Kelly Park on her home Cardinal Classic course.
Her racing strategy was simple: stay with the front of the pack, stay calm and trust her training.
"I wanted to stay relaxed while keeping a good pace," Wood said. "When we started the lower loop at Kelly Park, a Malad girl was right in front of me. I felt tired and started questioning myself, but I picked up my mindset and ran with her the whole loop."
That determination carried Wood across the finish line where she achieved what she had set out to do since middle school.
"Going through my mind was this was my last district cross country race," Wood said. "I knew how hard I'd worked to get here."
Soda Springs head cross country coach Jeff Horsley said Wood has been a team leader all season.
"She has had a few ups and downs but has always battled and grew from disappointments," Horsley said. "Ellie has a certain look in her eyes and you just know it's going to be a good day."
Wood has always seen running as more than a competition. It's about the lessons learned along the way and allowing the sport to shape her life. The bond between coaches and athletes has built her love of running. That bond and discipline helped her learn to handle hard times and build mental toughness.
"Cross country is all a mental game," Wood said. "I've learned to love myself more even on the hardest of days because it affects everything else if you stay hard on yourself."
A series of injuries during her junior year was one of those mentally tough challenges that pushed her to keep going.
As she looks back on her running career, she said her favorite memories are the simple moments when Horsley took time to share stories during long runs.
To younger runners, she said, "Stick to it. It's so worth it. Put in the hard work and it will pay off. It goes by so fast, so enjoy every second."
Wood and her teammates will lace up for one final race this season in Lewiston.
"We are thankful for the opportunity to go to state and hope to bring two trophies home," Horsley said. "What color of trophy depends on how things play out. We have had some magic happen up north and we are hopeful the Running Gods will be looking down on us in Lewiston. A full circle moment as that was where it all began with our first state title in 2006 -- double win for the girls and boys."
Soda Springs High School's boys and girls cross country teams will compete at the state meet Saturday, Nov. 1, in Lewiston.