Cross Country brings students together

Doing hard things is a hallmark of high school years. Challenging yourself to push beyond your limits and see what you are capable of. The Cross Country team provides the perfect opportunity to grow and learn. Captains of the Cross Country team share their thoughts on the sport and a little insight on why they love it so much. 

“I love Cross Country because of how much it pushes you mentally and physically. Some days it takes a lot more motivation than others. But the best part is you get to run with the whole team and talk with people on the trails. In the end, it’s very rewarding,” says Senior Avani B. 

“My favorite part is the freedom is gives you,” says Senior Aiden T. “There are all these nice trails by school, and you get to run around and have fun on these trails for an hour or two each day.”

During practice, all students run together regardless of ability or gender, giving a chance for a unique type of team bond. This is the only team at Overlake that operates this way. Thirteen year Cross Country Coach Dave Parsons says, “I think it increases respect for all. We see one another working hard every day, different genders and ages as we the coaches also run. The 9th graders get as much kudos as the seniors – mutual respect throughout.”

The lack of separation between runners has provided an extra opportunity for students to meet more of their peers. “I feel like I became friends with more people of the opposite gender because of Cross Country,” says Senior Bert L., even noting that he became better friends with Avani, a fellow captain, since joining cross country. 

Aiden agrees and shares, “here in Cross Country, where everyone is grouped in one team regardless of skill and gender it’s really nice cause you can interact with more people, and it gives you a better sense of community.”

Cross Country is hard work and students are constantly exercising their physical and mental strength. But there are lots of advantages to that kind of endurance. “Cross Country teaches you to force yourself to keep running and that translates to homework,” says Bert “Sometimes you don’t feel like doing homework but you can tell yourself this is what you need to do. It’s the same thing in Cross Country where you want to rest and stop running but you tell yourself you gotta keep running and keep up this pace and finish this race.”

“It doesn’t hurt as much as you think,” says Senior Jonathan H. “With practice especially you can just jog with your friends. You gotta get your miles in but at the same time it can be about improving too. And you can do that at an easy or a difficult pace.” 

Bert echoes that with his take on running and how hard some people think it is. “Running isn’t as bad as some people say. Some people have a deathly fear of running. But once you’ve started running and you experience the cardio high you get after a run or race, it clears up your mind and allows you to focus on other tasks.”

Avani agreed and says, “after a run, I always feel more ready to start homework or study." 

Keep an eye out and you just might see the team running the campus trails after school. 

To learn more about what else is happening in athletics this week, read the Athletic Week in Review.