The 2025 season of cross country was nothing but magical. With 12 seniors, (3 females and 9 males) this team was unified as one this season. As a team, both boys and girls were able to make it to states to round out an epic season.
Senior, Simon McGillivray, had his first career win at states. He finished 1st for the 1A schools boys’ division with a time of 16:28.02.
Brunswick’s second runner of the day was senior, Asher Adelman, who came in 3rd place with a time of 16:44.85.
Griffen Adelman (’28) came in 18th, with a time of 17:57.27; Rowen Williams (’27) can in 32nd with a time of 18:36.03; Rickey Riley (’28) came in 34th with a time of 18:39.18; Jonah Miller (’26) came in 35th with a time of 18:41.91; and Adam Parde (’26) rounded out the boys with 46th place and a time of 18:59.89. The boys team placed 2nd overall in the 1A teams with a score of 83 points.
On the girls’ side of states, success was just as warranted. This was the first girls cross country team to make it to states since 2019. The state meet was cancelled in 2020.
Both Coach Zumbaches’ excitement could not be contained. Coming in 23rd place and medaling with a time of 22:48.28, Kate Virgilio (’28) led the team in a great race. Vivian Alexander (’28) came in 43rd with a time of 25:10.08. Coming in 49th, Shelby Kenawell (’28) had a time of 25:47.24. Senior Caroline Teague came in 57th with a time of 26:37.55. Breakout star, Kim Porter (’29) came in 62nd with a time of 27:01.90. Haddie Shullenbarger (’28) came in 63rd with a time of 27:06.11. Rounding off the girls, Kaitlyn Heck (’26) came in 69th with a time of 27:53.05.
The Brunswick girls got 8th place out of 12 1A schools in the girls division.
In all, no one was prepared for the success the 2025 season of cross country. Asher Adelman came in 1st at 5 out of the 9 meets Brunswick High School competed in, including the regional meet, making him the regional champion along with the small school champion of the county meet.
Simon McGillivray placed in every meet he ran this season of cross country.
Kate Virgilio placed in 6 of the meets she ran in this season. There were many more accomplishments in this season to even name them all.
Caroline Teague (’26), a runner who’s been on the team all four years of high school, had heartfelt words for the team, “The past season of cross country has been by far the best. I have made so many memories and accomplished so much as a team.”
“I remember joining the team freshman year not really enjoying running and not feeling like I belonged. As the seasons went on I found the best of friends and the best support system I could ever hope for,” said Teague. “My last season of cross country has been by far my favorite as I have achieved all of my goals and more and most importantly found a ‘family.’ I will forever miss all of our team bondings and group huddles before races but I will not miss all of the hills. Thank you Brunswick cross country for the best four years of my life.”
All the runners on this team have the coaches to thank for their success. Mr. and Mrs. Zumbach are the oldest coaches on the team. Mr. Zumbach has been coaching cross country for roughly 47 years and Mrs. Zumbach for 44 years herself.
Coach Dewey has been coaching for 10 years, Coach Ropp for 12 years and Coach Russ for 2 years as the assistant coach.
On the topic of the season, Mr. Zumbach said, “I totally enjoyed working with this hard working group that accomplished so much this season… Both teams worked well together and represented Brunswick well this season…”
Mrs. Zumbach said, “States was an amazing day! So good to see our team do so well all season… We will miss the seniors but we have a number of great runners coming back and hope to get additional new runners next season.”
On the other coaches side, Coach Russ said, “I am so proud of this team! There was so much improvement across the board; the girls squad showed remarkable progress and toughness, and the boys team worked and fought incredibly hard all the way to the end. I had such a blast, and am so happy to have been apart of this season.”
Coach Ropp said, “This has been such a great cross country season for both our teams. I’ve loved seeing these runners come together and really gel as a team. It’s been fun to watch, and the results are outstanding. When we work together as a team, we can do great things; these teams did great things this year! I can’t wait to see how good they can be next year!”
Along with the coaches, the team parents are just as important to the success of the team. Caroline Teague’s father takes running pictures at every meet. Shelby Kenawell’s mother takes photos as well. Kaitlyn and Fred Heck’s mother and other senior parents, made the girls’ team their hair ribbons, the boys’ team headbands and helped to make the seniors’ amazing gift bags for the senior recognition day.
None of this could be done without the help from the team manager Fred Heck. As a sophomore, he has come out both years of his high school career to help the coaches with the team. He helps to take splits at the meets, and helps with every single practice. He even started digging the hole by the tree where the team gathers before practice.
Something about BHS cross country that everyone should know is that once you join, you’re part of the family.
In this sport, no one is left behind.
Whether you’re a freshman who’s been running their whole life or a senior who’s never run a day in their life—everyone has a special place in the team.
