Varsity cross country team welcomes back many returning runners
Senior Derek Paris, senior Kaeli Vierra, junior Aaron Tavares, senior Ruth Alvarez, and senior Brandon Tan take off in a race against Lodi at Eagal Lakes.
August 1, 2013
As boys and girls cross country starts its season again, head coach Rachel Hermann has many goals for her team.
“Our team trains five days a week by running in many different places. Some days we run six miles, and other days we train short distances in the park,” Hermann said.
Hermann has been working hard with the team to prepare them for this season. Over the summer, non-mandatory conditioning was held.
“I would like to take a team to sections this year,” Hermann said.
Since about 70 percent of the varsity team is returning and they have previously run cross country, they know what to expect and have made new goals for themselves this season.
“I really hope that the veterans will improve their times this year,” Hermann said.
According to Hermann, runners are constantly preparing themselves at practice, as well as at home, so that they can improve their times at each race. Hermann typically asks the runners to run on the weekends if they aren’t injured, so that they stay in shape and work to improve their times.
At a meet, the team runs just over three miles with times ranging from 19 minutes to 35 minutes. The team runs a warm up before the race and a cool down after the race, totaling about eight miles.
“Cross country is fun, healthy, and a great way to stay in shape,” three-year returner Travis Roberts said.
According to Hermann, many runners on the team have very different reasons why they enjoy cross country. Some people enjoy running while others do it only to stay in shape.
“A lot of us enjoy the competition,” returner Kaitlin Spencer said. “It’s really fun to try to beat other schools. It’s only motivation.”
“Cross country is a lot of fun,” senior Derek Paris, who is a returner who has made many goals for himself this year, said.
“To be honest, I don’t really enjoy cross country, I only do it to stay in shape and for the friends,” senior Dennis Nguyen said.
The captains for the 2013-2014 team are senior Alfonso Gonzalez and junior Evan Savage. Gonzalez ended his three mile last season in 17 minutes. Last year, Savage ended his season with a 13:13 two mile. Coach Hermann expects big things from them and to do better than they did the last season.
The cross country team will be running in the Jaguar Invitational at Eagle Lake on Friday at 3 p.m.
