team picture on Senior Night. Photo Credit: Ken Bray
By Lorelai Strete ‘27
It’s officially time for Conestoga Valley High School athletes participating in fall sports this year to recognize their seniors. Even though it was much earlier than every other CV fall sport this year, the CV Cross Country team celebrated their Senior Night on September 15, 2026.
After four years of watching her senior friends have their Senior Nights, it was now Nyeoni Johnson’s (12) turn to be recognized. “It’s a good day to be celebrated,” said Johnson. She expressed that she was excited to receive senior gifts from her coach, Mark Amway, once she ran through the lane of her teammates.
Like Johnson, Lila King (12) was looking forward to jogging toward her parents during senior recognition, because she believed it would be fun.
Both Johnson and King voiced their excitement for the jog down and gifts on senior night, but Owen Szabo (12) said he was most excited for the overall vibe. He acknowledged that this was his last year running cross country in high school, explaining, “It’s a celebration of the cross country season.”
Although senior night is an evening full of celebration, it’s also bittersweet. When watching her senior friends jog past her, Sophia Miller (10) felt, “just sad, ‘cause they’re seniors and this is my first time doing Cross Country, and I’m only with them for one cross country season, and it’s kind of coming to an end.”
Junior Eliza Hess expressed, “It was really bittersweet because I was happy for them and I know that a lot of them have been waiting to do this for a really long time.” She added “I was really proud of them for making it this far, but it’s also sad to know that next year they’re not clapping with me, and that next year they won’t be running with us anymore.”
Besides the ceremony, seniors also had a race to run, and some, like Shayla Gault (12) had her mind on the competition. Gault simply planned to give it her best effort and just wanted to finish the race saying, “At least I tried my best.” With the same determination as Gault, Caleb Martin (12) thought about finishing the race with a strong effort as he walked up to the starting line.
For underclassesmen, the event was a preview of what they can expect. Miller exclaimed, “I just thought it was so cool, this is going to be me one day!” after experiencing her first sports senior night. Although Miller is sure if she’ll continue cross country, she said she’s most excited to look back on how much progress she made when her senior night comes. Ana Yoder (11) stated she is most looking forward to getting the poster with her face on it after her senior night race.
With that, the 2026 CV Cross Country Senior Night officially came to an end, however the season isn’t over yet. There are 2 duel meets remaining on September 30 and October 6, but the season could go as late as November if the team continues on to Districts and States.