8-16-2025 - Clash of the Classes

At Watauga XC's local two-mile season opener, the Woman Pioneers gather in their pre-race ritual: Callapigius.

At Clash of the Classes, runners compete in grade-based races. Freshmen in the Freshman race, Sophomores in the Sophomore race, and so on.

In 2025, the race was able to move back to Watauga's original home course following post-Hurricane Helene reconstruction.

8-30-2025 - Eye Opener

Sophomore Cali Townsend takes the early lead in the Girl's "International" race. Townsend would hold on to this lead, finishing first by 17 seconds and leading the Watauga girls to a 3rd place finish.

At Eye Opener, the International race is the most competitive of the day, with the meet hosting JV and lower-level Championship races as well.

Being in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Watauga went down to this meet as an overnight trip. This made the meet an excellent opportunity for team bonding as well as competition.

Photo Credits: Milesplit North Carolina

9-5-2025 - Friday Night Lights

The Friday Night Lights invitational is often considered North Carolina's big season opener. The meet gets its name from the lights that come on for the championship races (which take place past 9 PM) and for the fireworks show that occurs every year after all the races are over. The meet is not only an excellent opportunity to get a PR early in the season, but the venue in Kernersville is also the same course that holds the state championships, making it a great place to prepare for the big show. In the 2025 season, the JV girls finished 10th and the Varsity girls finished 6th.

Photo Credits: Charlena Townsend

Photo Credits: Ava Huntley

9-27-2025 - High Country Classic

The Watauga Girls gather to celebrate another victory, this time at Watauga's main home invitational, the Blue Ridge Mountain Rentals High Country Classic. The steep hills and often-uneven surface of this course make it one of if not the most difficult course Watauga runs on, and it's an excellent opportunity for Watauga to show their grit.

10-4-2025 - Wendy's Invitational

The Wendy's Invitational is another one of the premier meets that Watauga frequents year-by-year. Held at Charlotte's McAlpine Greenway, the Wendy's Invitational is one of the fastest of the year, and is also the course that previously held 4A West regionals. In 2025, both Watauga JV and Varsity girls came away with a win. Cali Townsend won the championship race as an individual and Freshman Sophia Stull finished 4th in the JV race.

Photo Credits: Charlena Townsend

10-14-2025 - Northwestern Conference Championships

Year after year, Watauga has had huge success at conference on both the boys and girls side. The Watauga girls built on that tradition of success this year, with all of the top 7 being Watauga runners. For many seniors, conference championships are a very bittersweet time. Those not heading to regionals wrestle with the reality of having run their final cross country race in Watauga blue.

Photo Credits: Charlena Townsend

10-25-2025 - 6A West Regional Championships

In 2025, regionals moved from McAlpine to the newly-introduced Tryon International XC course along with the shift from 4A to 6A. Built upon an equestrian course, racing at the venue was an interesting and unique experience that provided both challenge and opportunity for Watauga's girls. On the day, Watauga triumphed and came away as regional champions, setting themselves up as potential favorites to win it all in Kernersville come the state championship. Cali Townsend continued her season of successes, running her way to being the individual 6A West region champion.

Photo Credits: Andrew Brown (NC Milesplit)

11-1-2025 -6A State Championship

When the day of November 1 2025 finally came, the Watauga girls knew they had high expectations on their shoulders. Consistently ranked 1st in 6A, they had to grapple with the newfound expectations of being the favorite. The girls did not disappoint on the day, ending up being crowned Watauga's first state champions of the 2025-2026 school year. The triumph of the Watauga XC girls set a precedent that has been reflected throughout the numerous successes of other sports at Watauga this year. Next year, Watauga girls XC hopes to build on their successes and achieve back-to-back titles. With their 2025 victory, the girls sent a message to the state of North Carolina: Watauga means business.

Photo Credits: Charlena Townsend, Dan Loughlin (NC Milesplit).

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