The boys cross country team has made strides showing dedication and improvement with every meet according to head coach Jeff Purdom. The runners have continued to push their limits on the course and support one another.
“They do their best and they enjoy themselves and the results are gonna follow that. And so I typically give them the sense of have fun, do your best, run for yourself, but also run for your team,” Purdom said. They will be competing at their regionals on Oct. 25 with sectionals set to follow Nov. 1. Finals will be on Nov. 8.
Senior Giulian Salas has helped lead the athletes by setting an example through discipline and determination.
“Every day we’re constantly making sure that everybody is doing what they’re supposed to do so they reach their goals. Coach Purdom also has us write down a weekly chart to ensure we are all getting closer to our
goals,” Salas said.
Encouragement has helped runners get through each race while still enjoying their time.
“I feel we are really good at encouraging each other during the races and after the races. We go out there with our spirit sticks and our flags and hype up our teammates while they’re racing, and then we do a good job after every single race,” Spencer Kazak, junior, said.
Dominik Barrios, junior, says they use each race as a motivation to do better in upcoming races. The team uses each moment as a way to improve and reflect on their performance.
“I set an example myself by doing the maximum efforts during practice, and really putting in my all during races, and practicing how I perform. setting an example encourages the rest of the team, especially the younger members,” Kazak said.
“You go out and you spend 45 minutes to an hour with your friends, talking about life. We’re running at a slow enough pace where they can have conversations, so they get a chance to get to know each other really well,” Purdom said.
Purdom believes the team’s progress and inclusion has been noticeable since the start of the season.
“I had an athlete yesterday, and it was his first time running with us. I told him, ‘Your goal is to make it the whole time without stopping,’ and we’ve got our other athletes where their goal is to try and run 3 miles and win a race,” Purdom said.
The effort and unity they showed throughout the year set the foundation for the future. With so many runners improving meet after meet, the team has built a strong base of experience and confidence that will carry over into their next season.
“When I leave there should be leaders, knowing what to do, and meeting everybody who
comes next,” Thomas Coleman, senior, said.
As the team continues through their season, they represent with pride, dedication, and heart mile after mile.
“It could be as small as just showing up every day and showing that you care about improving yourself and as a team. Because showing you care ultimately leads others to care about the team as well.” Barrios, said.
“We have a saying ‘kaizen’. It means continual improvement. It doesn’t matter who you are.” Purdom said.
