Sunny Weber Claims State Cross Country Title, Eyes National Stage

Sunny Weber, a senior from Sandwich High School, has once again made headlines by securing the state cross country championship in a highly competitive Class 1A field. This impressive victory adds to her growing list of accolades, marking her second consecutive title in this event. Weber completed the 3.0-mile course at Detweiller Park in a record-breaking time of 15:54.42, narrowly missing the course record of 15:53.4.

Over the past year, Weber has dominated distance running, claiming a total of four state championships. In addition to her recent cross country title, she won the Class 2A cross country title last fall and took home gold in both the 1,600 and 3,200-meter events during the state track and field meet last spring. Her consistent performance has established her as one of the top athletes in Sandwich’s history.

Recent Accomplishments and Future Aspirations

Weber’s success comes as no surprise, given her dedication and relentless training. In an interview with Joshua Welge, Sports Editor at Record Newspapers, she expressed her gratitude for the support she received throughout the season. “I am very happy and thankful for all the support I’ve had during this season to help me reclaim my title,” she stated. “For me, cross country is definitely a lot harder than track, so being able to achieve my goals is such a rewarding feeling.”

Weber highlighted the significance of this championship, stating that knowing how hard she worked made this title particularly meaningful. She also mentioned breaking her school record and how close she came to the state record, emphasizing the thrill of competitive running. “I knew that I was going to get a personal record during my race,” she explained. “I was not aware of how close I was to the state record.”

The level of competition in the Class 1A field was intense, and Weber’s coach kept her informed about the challenges she would face. “We talked a lot about the level of competition I was going to face at the state meet, and knowing that helped me feel comfortable when the race actually started,” she said. “It was definitely a great motivator.”

Commitment to Duke and Career Goals

Recently, Weber made headlines for another reason: her verbal commitment to Duke University. She had been in communication with the coaching staff since last November, which helped her gauge what life would be like as an athlete at the prestigious institution. “When I was on my visit, I knew it was the right place for me because of the great team culture they have and excellent coaching,” she remarked. “It will help set me up for my future goals!”

Weber’s aspirations extend beyond athletics; she plans to pursue a career in radiology. “I am very thankful and super excited for what’s to come!” she expressed.

This season has been full of memorable moments for Weber, including a particularly challenging race earlier in the year at the First to the Finish event. “I was definitely worried about the competition leading up to that race,” she recalled. “There were points during the race where I wanted to give up, but I continued to believe and push myself.” This experience reinforced her belief in her capabilities.

Looking ahead, Weber recently competed in the Midwest Nike Regionals, where she qualified for the Nike Nationals set to take place in Portland, Oregon, on December 6, 2023. With her impressive track record and unwavering determination, she is poised to make her mark on the national stage.