On Friday, September 8th, Apex High School’s cross country team participated in the annual Friday Night Lights event in Kernersville, NC. This event is held every year and highly anticipated atApex High as well as many other public and private schools that participate. 

The event included twelve races, either open or invitational. Out of the eighty–person team at Apex, sixteen female and twenty male cross country members were chosen to compete and represent our school in the invitational and championship 5k, or 3.1 miles, races. The championship races had a total of 3,254 entrants, including 1446 female and 1808 male racers. However, Friday Night Lights is more than a race; it’s an event for both the competitors and supporters. The gates open at 3:30 P.M., and the races last until 10:30 P.M.. Races are ongoing for five hours while everyone entertains themselves with food trucks, snowcones, music, dance parties, and even fireworks. While racers wait for their race to start, they stretch, hydrate, get to know the course, but also have some fun. With a dance floor placed in the middle of the event, a DJ plays music for anyone to jam out anytime they want throughout the night. Families and friends come from all over to cheer on and support their racers as they compete in either the junior varsity or championship races. Supporters sprint from one area to the next, just to hopefully get a glimpse of their racer and show their encouragement through cheers, bells, and posters. 

Each Apex High team member did an incredible job with our top three female racers being Sarah Galdi placing 113th, Sophia Taylor placing 119th, and Carrine Karyan placing 194th. Our top three male racers were Charles Vickery placing 55th,  Landon Turrick placing 96th, and Maxton Bohm placing 100th. Our Apex team placed 20/32 in the boys championship race and 32/32 in the girls championship race. After the races are finished, competitors often treat themselves with a snow cone or fried treat and then watch an incredible firework show to end the night.

We are so proud of our hard working cross country team here at Apex High school. As you’re walking through the halls, keep an eye out for any Friday Night Lights apparel and be sure to congratulate the racers. If you were unable to attend the event, Friday Night Lights is held every year, but you can always support our cross country team at any meets listed on the Apex High School online calendar.