Cross Country is back in season! This year for Cross Country we have 10 returning players and 15 brand new players with all the same goal to do well and accomplish their league championship in November.
“ I’m just anticipating a really good season, I think we’ve developed a pretty good team. I’m hoping that we do well in our league championship which is in November and just excited to see these kids grow,” said Coach Louis Bonsteel.
Being in Cross Country consists of having a good pace and good stamina and that’s exactly what these racers train for . Everyday afterschool for practice these athletes run 10 laps around the track, and 3 miles outside around the school to get the hang of the pace for their championship. Their first pre-season race will begin this Wednesday October 2nd against Narbone High School. Meanwhile the first league game will be the 10th of October located at Bell High School.
In Cross Country there are a variety of schools with around 3-6 runners. The way they add up the scores is not only by time but based on which team comes down to the finish line with the most amount of runners in the leaderboard.
Team captains Genevie Calderon and Derek Contreras both hope the best for this new Cross Country season. Both of them have been running Cross Country for 3 years and have been nominated captains. Being a captain and taking a role in leadership isn’t an easy responsibility, but they both have positive outlooks and are thrilled to develop along the way with their friends in a sport they enjoy.
“ The thought of captains is kind of a grilling job, but unlike other sports when you’re playing cross country, most of it is individual so when managing the team you have to shift your purpose in trying to motivate your runners to their own personal achievements,” – Mentioned Derek Contreras, senior and captain.
When it comes to this competitive sport it’s every athlete for themselves. Although it is an individual sport every runner still has the choice to socialize with other racers/teammates in this long distance journey.
Before their race begins or when they begin warming up many of these athletes do tend to feel nervous and gain anxiety, but as long as they are encouraged by their teammates it motivates them to become confident as well as composed.
“ As a captain you pretty much have to get yourself out there to get closer to your teammates such as 1 on 1. This helps me notice their strengths and weaknesses so in times of anxiety I try to encourage them and build up their confidence,” commented Genevie Calderon, senior and captain.
Written by Belany Tapia, Staff Writer.