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On Aug. 19, the school’s cross country season officially kicked off. The start of the cross country season is exciting for all runners; it is when training and getting ready is most crucial. The preparation helps the team bond and become strong enough to race during the season.
Cross country gives students a life changing experience. From building up endurance to eating properly, these athletes have been training all summer to start racing again. Cross country teams have a goal to get the most runners to place higher, so every member of the team works to lower their PR, or personal record, in order to help their team out. Every student has a different thing that gives them motivation to keep pushing to lower their personal record.
“I like to practice with my cousin, who’s also on the team,” senior Reilly Miller said. “Running with her keeps me accountable so I don’t just quit when it gets hard.”
This year’s cross country season gives runners an opportunity to do better than they did in seasons past. A main goal is to always be improving, and this years’ runners have achieved this goal, partially through the enjoyment of their friendship with each other.
“My favorite part of cross country is competing well and improving,” sophomore Layla Fuller said. “I also like that everyone is super friendly and funny.”
The inclusion of cross country in the schedule of the runners and coaches has actively improved the lives of the team. The idea of running for what feels like forever is what inspired members of the team to join; the pure adrenaline and joy from the sport has helped them keep going and commit to doing races.
“I was an athlete as a child,” coach Tony Moore said. “I ran in college and I ran in high school and I just loved the sport so I just became a coach.”
With the season off to a great start and the next meet on Sep. 9, the team is excited to see how all the races play out. Running has impacted the team’s lives and preparing over the summer has made these athletes ready to race again.
“I love the kids, the kids are good kids,” Moore said. “They work good together. Just a good bunch of kids and I love the sport.”
