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“I really enjoyed that the coaches encouraged us to work hard and do our best,” seventh grader Kennedy Priebe said. I also liked going to the meets and how everyone was supportive of each other. It was such a great experience, and it definitely made me a better runner.”
The cross country schedule had practice three times a week and three meets. The team ran more than a mile and a half almost every practice, along with the warm-ups and stretches. They also ran more than 1.5 miles at every meet.
“Practice days were on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, but I went on Tuesday and Thursday (you only have to go two days a week),” Priebe said. “We had three meets in total this season, and they were all on weekdays, two on Thursday, and one that was supposed to be Thursday, but got rescheduled to Wednesday, and I was able to participate in all the meets. I did have some challenges with cross country, like how the schedule changed quite a bit. I also had a lot of other activities going on, so it was hard to do everything at once (but I tried). It was also a challenge trying to figure out how to get to the meets.”
This season, there were a variety of kids from each grade. The eighth graders led the warm-ups and stretches at the meets, making excellent role models for the sixth and seventh graders to follow. Before each meet, the coaches would explain the route and elaborate on details and give advice to all the runners. A lot of runners were new this year, so it took some time for some to get used to the meets.
“This was my first year doing cross country, and I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it, but it really helped me improve as a runner, and I liked the meets,” Priebe said. But, I do wish we didn’t practice right next to all the construction.”
There were lots of rules and commitments runners had to make when joining the cross country team. They have to bring a filled water bottle every day. They also have to be on time and take responsibility for when they are late.
“I would say, get ready for a tough but fun season,” Priebe said. “Always bring your water-bottle to practice, and never be late, ‘cause otherwise YOU’RE COOKED.’”
This season was great, and it had everything it needed to make the team successful, but even though cross country is a fun sport, it comes with some challenges for some runners, like Priebe.
“My overall experience was great,” Priebe said. “Cross country helps you to make more friends and to stay active.”
race and does her best.
(Averie Grzesiak)
