It’s cross country season again. Last season was great, and we’re looking to continue improving.
Last year we had the overall race winner in all but one regular season meet. We also had our first-ever team victory when the girls beat Kearsarge by one point.
We should have solid runners returning and plenty of new faces joining us. The team is open to boys and girls who will be in fifth through eighth grade at AE/MS this fall.
If you’ve already signed up at school, great! I hope you’re running a little every day, and I encourage you to join us on Wednesday evenings at 5:45 PM in Blackwater Park during the summer before official practices start for some pre-season fun.
The first day of official practice is Monday, August 17, at 5:45 PM, at the school. If you didn’t sign up before school ended, or if you’re new to the school, it’s not too late. Do some running, and join us!
It’s possible for cross country team members to do both Recreation Department soccer and cross country. We had four girls do both last year, and they were leaders on both teams. Soccer helps with quickness and strength in cross country, and the running from cross country helped the players stay on the field more when there weren’t many subs.
Most cross country meets are done in time to get to evening soccer matches and practices. I’m also confident that athletes can be on both the cross country and school soccer teams.
What’s great about cross country is that it is a sport where the athlete gets out exactly what they put into it. Traditionally, cross country teams everywhere keep everyone and help them compete, regardless of ability. All it takes is effort.
If they work at it everyday, they will get better, no exceptions. The kids who put in the most time and effort improve the most and will be competitive as the season goes on.
To support that, we have a summer training incentive in the form of mileage clubs. Keep track of miles you run between July 1 and August 16. Send them to me or bring them to Wednesday gatherings.
If you run 50, 75, or 100 total miles before practice starts, you will get a special t-shirt to recognize your efforts. There will also be recognition for the kids who can run two miles on the first day of practice.
It’s a major milestone in cross country when each athlete can run the whole race distance without stopping, and we’ll recognize each athlete as they accomplish it during the season.