HERSHEY — The PIAA Cross Country Championships are more than just the culmination of a season.

They are a celebration of the days, weeks, months — and sometimes years — it takes to get to there.

Never a right and always a privilege, the chance to compete at the state meet in Hershey is always a unique opportunity.

And that was especially true Saturday as runners hit the Parkview Cross Country Course to cap another remarkable season.

That mindset and reflective perspective was prevalent throughout the day Saturday.

Regardless of results, the race — and everything that surrounded it — was a reward for countless hours spent training away from the spotlight.

“It was not my best race, but it’s a good day, good weather, and I’m just happy to be here,” said Northwestern’s Sophia Cornell, who finished 163rd in 22:31. “As a senior, with all these people, I was running with a lot of people I know, a lot of people I’m friends with. It was just nice. I can’t complain.

“The experience (of being here before) helped a lot. This was the first year I wasn’t nervous really at all. Sophomore year, we came as a team, and that was crazy. Last year, I was here with Haley (DuBois), who was a senior. And that was different, to not have a team. And this year, it was like, ‘Just go out and run. Go out and enjoy it.’”

Fellow Tiger senior Xander Giandomenico made his first trip to Hershey this season and finished 142nd in 18:24 in the boys Class 2A race.