Cross Country is a sport of perseverance and discipline. It may be an individual sport but it’s impossible to pursue without a team. You may run on your own during a race, but you’re never alone running Cross Country. You’re never your own support system. Cross Country is a sport that uplifts the team by encouraging and supporting to lead the team into triumph. People who choose Cross Country may start by looking for conditioning or a runner’s high, but they leave their season with a new family. A family that has been there through the highs, the lows, the personal records, and the victories. That sense of community is what makes Cross Country because it builds you as a person, to recognize something challenging and to contribute to face it until you accomplish a goal or fight something new and difficult. It helps you apply that stamina and gain trustworthy relationships.
Many people who join Cross Country start off because they did (distance) track before. Sophomore captain, Hannah Scheinbaum, talks about her experience with Cross Country.
“I love feeling strong, feeling like I did it and I can do it. Runner’s high is the best feeling ever, it’s empowering, I feel like I can do 2 more miles.” Scheinbaum (10). She explains that the most important thing you need for Cross Country is self-discipline. Motivation might not always stay with you, but you have your reasons for choosing to be there, for you and for your team, even if it doesn’t feel like it.
“You are wanted there.” Scheinbaum (10)
Lots of people think of Cross Country and just picture people running around, thinking of laps like its a consequence, but in reality, Hannah describes Cross Country as a family of people. They are there to support you in anything.
“Being in Cross Country is a stereotype, but it doesn’t define who you are entirely. You can be yourself and still be a part of your sport. It’s not what defines me. Try not to put yourself in boxes, and trying to have it how you want it, it’s allowed me to stick with it.” Scheinbaum (10)
Senior captain, Corwyn Wayment, explains why he continues to run Cross Country. Especially because there are few upperclassmen, and more freshman and newcomers, ones that will continue the legacy of Cross Country in the future, it’s important for leaders to arise to lead the team and prepare them. They guide new people to show them that it’s okay to struggle at first, Cross Country is not something that can just be taught, but experienced. In a sport that requires incredible endurance and energy, Corwyn explains that though it may seem hard, you learn skills that you can apply and help in everything else in your life, such as motivation and determination. It allows you to think that you are able to do hard things, that you can push your limits as far as you please, it’s only in your control.
As an upperclassman, he is seen as a role model to the newer runners. The team allows for an inviting environment for everyone to be at ease and allows a way to destress after a long day at school, and such. Cross Country is a team sport. Just because you run individually, even if you’re ahead or behind, you gotta encourage everyone to keep going, to not give up.” Wayment (12)
“Never look back. You don‘t look back. Never run back, you better not, it’s okay to walk, but keep moving forward, you gotta be motivated, even when your body tells you you’re tired, it’s not when you’re done, it’s your motivation.” Wayment (12)
Cross Country is competitive, but the team outweighs the competition. People choose Cross Country because it’s an inclusive environment of people looking to run together. There is no pressure to change yourself in any way. It’s just a family of hard-working, driven, and determined people. Even if running isn’t your thing, Cross Country is an incredible environment where you find that it’s possible to do hard things – even if they seem impossible, you learn to push yourself beyond the limits that you set before, and find a high in running 3 miles a day.
