Pop! And the races are on. As the cross country season starts up, we get runners and coaches’ thoughts on the new season and how they predict it will go.
Senior Louis Avalos shared his thoughts on his first race ever and how he believes the season will look like for him.
“It was good, it was fun, and the team was very supportive,” said Avalos. “It was my first meet. You go at your own pace and push yourself, like the quote ‘Iron sharpens Iron.’ I always have Cooper (Haddix) next to me trying to catch him and I try to catch Alex (Johnston). You just push yourself. As a senior, I wish I did cross country all 4 years and not just my senior year.”
Senior Cooper Haddix shared his thoughts on his final high school season and how cross country has made him more of a leader.
“Personally, I didn’t run great,” said Haddix. “I got out a little too fast and really started pushing the pace. That’s a lesson to be learned though. Practice is mostly self-controlled with the pace but the coach gives us the course and where we should end up if we need to push someone. I think as a senior now, I kinda recognize, especially with these new freshmen and being captain, how much there is to learn in the sport and how much to teach outside the sport.”
Coach Kennedy talked about how seniors view their cross country season differently between their freshman and senior year and gives advice on what being a coach should be like.
“I feel at least my seniors for track and cross country take it more seriously,” said Kennedy. “They recognize they are leaders, and they have to take the leadership role they are out there supporting all the freshmen and encouraging them. I think they see their roles differently as not just being an athlete but being a leader. Find enjoyment in it. It’s not just about winning, it’s about growth and kids making personal records every time and celebrating those small breakthroughs and recognizing the hard work they are putting in, and being proud of them even when they don’t run their best. Mindset matters.”
