News Post

The St. Joseph’s Academy cross country team traveled to the Our Lady of Hope Catholic Retreat Center in Chatawa, Mississippi, for its annual preseason running retreat.

The team spent five days and four nights during the third week of July completing a variety of running workouts through the piney woods and deceptively hilly roads between Osyka and Chatawa, just north of the Louisiana border. In addition to running, team members’ days were filled with team-bonding exercises, competitive team games, interactive presentations and goal-setting sessions for the 2026 season.

Before departing, the 21-member team was divided into three color teams led by the seniors. Charlotte Beck, Audree Comeaux and Noella Fields captained the blue team; Cate Barbier and Camille Vaughan led the red team; and Hope Lemoine and Sophia Otzenberger headed up the yellow team.

The team arrived at Our Lady of Hope on Sunday and spent the afternoon competing in a number of color-team games while developing individual and team goals. The day concluded with a pizza party and an evening swim.

Each morning began with a 6 a.m. wake-up call before heading out for the day’s run. Monday featured an eight-mile run followed by indoor competitions, a fun canoe race and a spirited game of Ultimate Ball. That evening, Coach Mark LaHaye revealed the team’s word for the 2026 season: Fortitude.

Tuesday began with a challenging seven-mile run along Old Highway 51-South. The remainder of the day included indoor and outdoor team activities before concluding with the annual Mini-Murph color-team competition, one of the most anticipated events of camp.

Wednesday began with warmup run followed by five one-mile repeats on a demanding hill loop. Later that day, the team enjoyed a trip to the Escape Warehouse in Ponchatoula, a costume exchange with musical chairs and a karaoke competition.

The final run of camp took place early Thursday morning, beginning in downtown Osyka and following the State Line Road, crossing into Louisiana before returning to Mississippi to complete the 10-mile run.

“Our girls had an unbelievable camp,” Coach LaHaye said. “After ‘reminding’ the team of our runner-up finish at the state meet last year, every daily run was more deliberate, every activity was more focused and every game was more intense. Our seniors were absolutely amazing. This team truly has the opportunity to create an incredible season. We asked them, ‘How bad do you want it?’”

Assistant Coach Kate Cook said camp is an annual opportunity for the runners to push themselves physically, bond as a group and deepen their understanding of the sport of cross country. “This year felt special,” she said. “Coming off a season that ended in disappointment, this group arrived with something to prove. There was a renewed sense of purpose in every workout, every conversation and every challenge. Just as importantly, our senior leadership was exceptional. They set the standard through their work ethic, encouragement and commitment to the team. That combination of hunger and leadership made this year’s camp one that I think we will all remember for a long time.”

Assistant Coach Sara Catherine Buie said camp was a turning point for many of the girls, both physically and mentally. “Our freshly minted seniors demonstrated incredible leadership, especially considering it was their first true venture into the role of team captains,” she said. “I was equally thrilled to see our juniors step up and recognize the shoes they will have to fill next year. By the end of the week, you could see their confidence beginning to grow, as well. Our sophomores and freshmen brought so much enthusiasm and buy-in to camp. More importantly, our team truly became one cohesive unit, with our ultimate goal being returning to state and reclaiming the title. As the Advocate newspaper put it last year, SJA cross country was dethroned. Reflecting on this past camp experience, it is clear that this team is ready to take back the crown.”

Senior Camille Vaughan reflected on her final camp experience, saying it was extra special. “Since it was my last year at camp, it was bittersweet, but I loved participating in all the activities and growing closer with my team.”

“I knew camp would be fun, but I didn’t expect to leave feeling so much closer to everyone on the team,” senior Cate Barbier said. “Spending those few days together made me feel so much closer to everyone, and I think we all came back with stronger friendships and a lot more trust in each other. It made me even more excited for this season because I know we’re not just a team, we’re a family. I feel so much more confident going into this year, and I’m really looking forward to leading by example, making memories with everyone and giving everything I have to help make this an amazing season.”

Senior Audree Comeaux agreed. “I enjoy camp each year because it highlights the team aspect of cross country by teaching us to work together through goal-setting and team competitions while encouraging us to grow together each day,” she said. 

Sophia Otzenberger said being a senior made this year’s camp a special experience. “I loved leading a color team and giving our freshmen the advice I wish I received my freshman year,” she said. “We had so much fun growing closer as a team, and this camp set us up for a great year. I can’t wait for what’s to come.”

Senior Hope Lemoine described this year’s retreat as the best camp ever. “It was so special to get to lead a color team this year, and I could really see how we became closer as the week went on,” she said. “Camp made us more confident and more connected as a team, which makes me really excited for this season.”

Noella Fields also said this year’s camp was the best she’s experienced. “The team this year just clicked, and we’re all so close,” she said. “We are pumped to start the winning streak again.”

Senior Charlotte Beck said she was excited to step into a leadership role and connect with the team. “Bonding is one of the most important things a team can do,” she said. “When you’re closer to your teammates, you realize there’s more to it than just what you want. It helps you see the bigger picture and understand that it’s about so much more than yourself. One of my favorite parts of camp, surprisingly, is the long run. The people you’re running with make the miles go by so much faster. The early mornings and the late nights when we chose to stay up talking are some of my favorite memories from being part of this team.”

Photos by Joanna Lemoine