The Revere High School women’s cross country team has welcomed to a new head coach and plans to change the meet schedule and improve practices.

Amy Fagnilli, RHS Social Studies teacher, has taken the head coaching position for the women’s cross country team. Fagnilli previously coached cross country at Cuyahoga Falls Middle School. RHS Government Teacher Jason Milczewski previously held the head coach position, and needed an individual to take over so he could focus on advising the RHS National Honor Society and attaining personal goals. Fagnilli, who coached the team last year as well, took over for him.

Fagnilli expressed how her work with former coach Milczewski last year prepared her to run the team this year.

“Working with a partner was great, it helped me get to know the team, the workouts, and the schedule,” Fagnilli said.

Fagnilli focused on keeping traditions intact while making minor improvements to the schedule and practices this year. She wanted to keep the tradition of the Fun Day practice and the spirit breakfast. The Fun Day practice involves fun games and races, improving team morale while helping the runners improve their times. Spirit Breakfast takes place in the RHS cafeteria and the team cooks pancakes with other breakfast foods to show their appreciation for each other. As for the schedule, Fagnilli replaced the Brecksville meet with a different meet taking place at Walsh High School. Fagnilli expressed that the team never enjoyed running at the Brecksville meet, so they decided to run at Walsh instead.

Senior Claire Weihe, a Junior Varsity runner, noted the changes Fagnilli has made during practices, explaining that practices are shorter and consist of more speed workouts. The changes in practice have resulted in faster times during meets.

Senior Varsity runner Tori Holvey explained that the varsity runners have similar fast times. She voiced the reason as to why this occurs.

“Everyone has been working really hard and running as a group which is why the varsity times have been close to each other,” Holvey said.

The changes in the meet schedule for the season have resulted in the men’s cross country team attending less of the women’s’ matches this season. Weihe mentioned that she misses the interaction between the men’s and women’s teams.

“[Not attending the same races as the men’s team is] so sad. I love having them at our meets to cheer us on and we loving cheering them on,” Weihe said.

The seniors this year include Lexie Farist, Grace Godard, McKenzie Hedrick, Tori Holvey, Hannah Jenkins, Kathryn Mason, Avery Miller-Dakota, Christen Ryba, Joci Scott, Claire Weihe.

On October 8, the team will race in the Medina Cross Country Festival at Medina High School.