Brightly colored tennis shoes hit the pavement as the cross country team kick off the fall season. With returning medalists from the 2023-2024 state competition, the team features state participants: senior Ella Aquino who placed 9th overall last season, sophomore Griffin Bloemker who placed 13th and senior Carson Lemon who placed 28th.
Welcoming new team members and preparing veterans, the team’s first meet of the season took place at the St. Michael the Archangel invitational on Sept. 7. The team will compete throughout the next month, closing with EKL regionals in mid-October.
According to returning/two-year senior Bylthe Harris, the team has become a family that is supportive by developing personal and cooperative growth. With both mental and physical strains, cross country differs from other school-oriented sports as it combines longevity, distance, speed and endurance.
“I have always been good at other sports, always been pretty athletic, but in every sport, my main talent was running and being fast,” Aquino said. “That’s what really pushed me to start doing this as a main sport.”
Senior Carson Lemon expressed that cross country is a less popular sport due to its difficulty. “It’s not necessarily the most fun sport, it takes effort,” Lemon said. “Cross country is an opportunity to commit to things that are not always easy but in the end it is worth doing.”
The team’s meet preparation and routines consist of running warm-ups and stretching. prepares for meets by running warm-ups and stretching, and often starts days in advance.
Cross country runners must take in diet, sleep, activeness and training patterns when preparing days in advance for a race. Unwinding after a competition can consist of body wrapping, sleep, epsom salt baths and consistent diet and hydration.
According to Harris, cross country affects her life outside of running extremely as an involved senior.
“It helps me better myself for track season and to have more fun in my senior year,” Harris says. “It’s really positive. It’s uplifting. Everyone’s encouraging each other when we run.” pointing out the supportive atmosphere that defines the team.”
Similarly, Lemon expressed how the sport has influenced his work ethic, team building and ability to take charge as a senior.
“It’s a very team-driven sport, despite it being pretty individual in the competition,” Lemon said. It’s taught me a lot about what it means to be in a team. Although everyone has their own goals and ambitions, I depend on my team to keep going. I think you get out what you put in if you truly want to be good.”
According to Lemon and Aquino, each member of the team has their own individual objectives, while still being able to meet on a common ground goal. Some aim to get toned and in shape while meeting new people – others tend to focus on their future athletic goals like getting mileage for track.
“We are a team that lifts others up over every hill, around every mile, and through every finish line,” Aquino said.
