Cross country strides to regionals

The boys’ cross-country team has not made an appearance at the regional meet in over a decade. This 2013 team put an end to the drought of post-season defeat. For Coach Kirk Trent, making it to regionals was all about a change in mentality and hard work.

“We really started focusing on the pack running mentality,” Trent said. “When we started doing that, we started beating teams we haven’t beaten since I’ve been here. Allen came from being [fifth in district] to second in the district. No one was expecting that.”

Junior Jake Hughes said he has his own theory on why this is the first time the team has appeared at regionals in over a decade.

“Before this [season] there wasn’t a lot of hard work on the team,” Hughes said. “It was more of a fun sport, and people kind of came to practice and messed around. With the seniors now, they really instilled a hard-working desire [to win] within the team, which really helped us take off.”

A typical practice for the boy’s cross-country team begins before school for a team leader like Hughes.

“The team leaders get there at 6 a.m., and then everybody else gets there at 6:15 a.m. and signs in,” Hughes said. “About 6:30 a.m. we have our warm- up, and we do dynamic stretching. Then we have a couple of minutes to just stretch out whatever feels tight, and then we start out workout: either an easy run or speed work usually.”

Another leader of the team, senior Chris Edwards, stated the reasons why he enjoys being a part of this record-setting team.

“I really enjoy the aspect that not only is it an individual sport, but it’s also a team sport,” Edwards said. “So you can see yourself improve and be proud of yourself, but you also know that you worked really hard with your team, and you can be just as proud of your team and your teammates when you accomplish your goals.”

The 2013 cross-country season moved the boys’ team to second best team in their district. The girls’ team has made it to regionals six of the last eight years. Instead of reminiscing on their recent accomplishments, Trent said that he intends to start making plans now in preparation for the 2014 season.

“We’re losing three seasons from the varsity, so there are three spots opening up,” Trent said. “I’ve already talked to the juniors and told them, ‘Hey, you only have forty-nine weeks of cross- country left, so you’re now the cross-country seniors. It’s time to start getting ready right now.”

When asked how he feels about his recent achievements and next years season, Hughes said that he is proud of what he’s done and is optimistic about his senior year.

“It’s pretty cool. We’re the first team [in over a decade] to go to regionals, so that’s really fun,” Hughes said. “I think [next season] willbealotoffunandIwould definitely love to compete at the state meet.”

Edwards said he is grateful to have ended his final season on a good note.

“It is honestly one of the best feelings I’ve ever had,” Edwards said. “I’ve been on this team for four years, and the past three years we’ve gotten so close, and it’s great to know that I went out with a bang and left nothing out there.”

story by Jackson Meeker // staff writer