She’s huffing and puffing, struggling with each stride, each gasp for air. As she nears the end of her 5-K run, though, she spots a familiar face standing at the finish line. She smiles. And with a burst of energy, Marissa Lucas, a senior on the Bow High School cross country team, completes the race, then collapses to the ground. Her brother, Dylan, hands her an inhaler.

Marissa developed sports-induced asthma her junior year and didn’t finish any of her high school cross country races, though she continued to compete.

This year, as a senior, she returned to the team with a renewed determination.

“I think she finally had to decide she was going to continue enjoying it for the team aspect she loves and try to relax and understand she might not win the race, but can still run well and finish without pushing it so hard,” said former cross country coach Dyrace Maxfield. “It says a lot about her character, and her as a person, that she would continue to want to be a part of the team. She’s such a good leader. It’s never been just about her. She wants to help everyone else and still be part of the team’s successes, and she has a lot of fun doing that.”

Maxfield, who coached Marissa Lucas in cross country for three years, and outdoor track and field when she was a freshman and sophomore, is currently in his second season as Dylan’s coach.

He said the two have similar traits.

“They’re both definitely very willing to put team ahead of themselves,” he said. “With Dylan, anytime we need him in a relay or somewhere where we have a hole, he’s always willing to sacrifice a different event, no questions asked.”

Dylan, who competed in karate and gymnastics prior to high school, said he thrives on challenges.

“I think, in track and field, what he loves is he can do and try so many different things,” said Maxfield. “It’s not about just running for him. He can change up his events each week. In five different meets so far, I don’t think he’s done the same four events yet.”

Indeed, whether it’s the pole vault, javelin, hurdles or any one of several other events, Dylan is constantly challenging himself, and that, said his coach, makes the sophomore’s athletic growth fun to watch.

In addition to their accomplishments in cross country and track and field, Marissa and Dylan captained the 2007- 08 state championship finalist Nordic ski team at Bow High School. The Falcons earned a berth at the Eastern High School Championship – the first such team accomplishment in school history.

Dylan, who led the boys at the state championships with fourth- and fifth-place finishes in the classic and freestyle events as the program’s first sophomore captain, became the first Bow High Nordic skier to medal at the Meet of Champions, finishing sixth in freestyle.

Marissa was the team’s second- fastest freestyle skier, finishing seventh overall.

“They are both talented athletes, but they bring so much more to the team than that,” said Nordic coach Chris Naimie. “They are leaders of the team in all aspects, and they apply their unique abilities ... demonstrating work ethic, enthusiasm and team spirit that set the standard for their teammates ... to make our team much better than it would be in their absence.”

Marissa, said Naimie, is the only girl from her high school class to participate in Nordic skiing all four high school years and has shown tremendous growth in ability and self-confidence.

“She advocates for her teammates and is always ready to devote herself completely to her goals,” said Naimie. “Marissa’s greatest strength as a skier is the efficiency with which she travels down the trail, always making the most of every stride.”

Such efficiency is necessary, said Marissa. The cold weather increases the strain on her lungs.

Even as a freshmen, said Naimie, Dylan led the Nordic team to its first state title and represented New Hampshire at the J2 Championships.

“His greatest strength as a skier is his powerful stride,” said the coach. “As he elevates his technique over the next two years, I anticipate he will distinguish himself as one of the top skiers in the state and as a candidate for skiing at the intercollegiate level.”

Both athletes have received Falcon Awards for athletic excellence and leadership, Marissa for Nordic skiing and Dylan for cross county.

After playing lacrosse for the state champions last season, Marissa embraced a new endeavor this spring as the scarecrow in “The Wizard of Oz,” which she performed May 1 to 3 at Bow High School.

What she is most excited about, however, is introducing her brother as an inductee into the National Honor Society. Next year, she plans to attend and offer support at all of her brother’s races, just as he’s done for her.

“When Dylan runs, he does this thing where he smiles. I don’t know how to explain it, but he’s always happy,” said Marissa. “He’s such a fun kid to watch run.”