Just last weekend heritage high school hosted our annual Liberty Bell; a cross country invitational that’s been happening for the past 50 years. The Liberty Bell was started by former cross-country coach, Larry Lienmann, and since then students from high schools all over the country have come together each year for the event.
This year there were over 100 teams participating in the meet after the 2026 invitational “expanded this year to welcome more schools and athletes, making the event even larger and more inclusive” says Coach Abigail Wade, who believes coaching is much more than just the sport itself.
Wade says, “My job is to help athletes become better runners, but also better teammates, students, and people. Cross country teaches athletes a lot about commitment, perseverance, and being accountable to a team, even though everyone runs individually.” It’s no wonder the invitational has been an ongoing tradition since 1976, It’s not just a race, but an opportunity for community and inclusivity.
At this year’s Liberty Bell a new division 4 category was added giving smaller schools “an opportunity to compete against smaller schools of similar size… and helped create a more competitive and inclusive meet.” The Liberty Bell is a great way for students to connect, and many heritage students, including Alyna Rivera ’27, believe that running “provides an additional social outlet in the form of [her] teammates”. But many students also believe that running yields benefits in their personal life. “Running helps me in my life by keeping me in shape and by improving my mental strength…running improves my ability to push through challenges and struggles” says Rivera, who looks forward to events where she can bond with her friends while also refining her own skills.
We can be sure to look forward to next year’s Liberty Bell, which may host even more schools and allow runners of varying ages and abilities to showcase their skills and connect with others who share similar passions.