When most teams win a game, race, match, or meet, they are the only ones who benefit; they are closer to becoming winners, victors, champions. No one else receives anything; no one else has a reason to celebrate – almost all of the time.

Sofia Greco-Byrne, a senior captain of the cross-country team, was in charge of being the exception to this generalization this past fall sports season.

“One of my cross country coaches, Coach T [Paul Tetreault], had done something in the past that he calls the ‘Souper Race,’” said Greco-Byrne. “The idea is that during our dual meet season, whenever we win a race, both girls and boys are asked to bring in a non-perishable food. Coach T. asked if anyone was interested in doing it this season, so I [agreed and] would bring boxes and collect the food each week.”

During their season, every member of the team contributed, and Greco-Byrne collected over 300 items. Greco-Byrne dropped off all of the food at the North Kingstown Food Pantry, where it will feed hundreds of hungry individuals as we inch closer to December.

Cross country has not only positively impacted the community, but her own life and high school experience as well. “Now that I’m a senior, I’m realizing I would not even know most of the awesome people I get to hang out with every day because of cross country,” Greco-Byrne said. “I think that the team is especially close now because there is something about going on an hour or longer runs every day that forms friendships pretty quickly.”