Short-Staffed Team Doesn't Run From Competition
JV girls' cross country competes despite being ineligible for official records.
By Kyle McLaren and Atreyu Weber
JV girls' cross country competes despite being ineligible for official records.
By Kyle McLaren and Atreyu Weber
Competing in a varsity sport is difficult as it is, but when the team’s roster size creates a problem with eligibility for competition, a decision must be made on whether or not to participate.
With only four runners on the roster instead of the minimum of five, the girls’ junior varsity cross country team is automatically disqualified from officially competing. However, even if they can’t have a legitimate record this season, the runners are still happy to compete in races.
Along with four practices a week, the team has had three unofficial meets, two at Montgomery Hill Trail and one here at Pioneer.
Anna Thomas, 10, found that she really enjoys these meets and loves getting to congratulate her team members.
“My favorite part (about running) is the community and finishing a hard race,” said Anna Thomas.
The team atmosphere and adrenaline rush from sprinting motivated sophomore Skylar Thomas.
“I've always liked running and the idea of going faster than I had been was motivating,” they said.
Sophomore Mikayla Como’s favorite part about races is sprinting at the end, although she finds long-distance running challenging.
“What motivates me to finish an exhausting run is knowing I’m almost there, and how I hate to lose,” said Como.
Girls’ varsity cross country runner Sophia Gonzalez, 12, is happy that the group is having real competition with other people, despite the circumstances.
“All of the races are kind of like competition but it’s good that they have those actual meets and they’re gaining skills for when they move onto varsity,” said Gonzalez.
Sonia Feria, 11, feels the hardest part of running long distances is the mental factor of it, acknowledging that mental strength is just as vital as running ability.
“(The most difficult part is) definitely just trying to keep running, it’s a mental game. Your legs will hurt, and so you want to stop, but you know (that) you have to keep going,” said Feria.
The importance of your mentality in running also applies to varsity runners.
“The hardest part about cross country is the mental aspect of it, it’s hard to keep going when you’re in pain, even though you can,” said Gunn.
Skylar Thomas has seen their stamina and speed improve greatly, pushing them to work to get faster.
“(The most challenging aspect) my body gets tired before my mind does, so I have to keep stopping to rest,” said Skylar Thomas.
Varsity player Erica Gunn, 11, supports the JV team in their perseverance.
“It’s really cool that they are still running without a full team, so it shows that they have dedication and love the team as much as I do. They also still support the rest of our team, and motivate others to do better,” said Gunn.
With only four runners on the roster instead of the minimum of five, the girls’ junior varsity cross country team is automatically disqualified from officially competing. However, even if they can’t have a legitimate record this season, the runners are still happy to compete in races.
Along with four practices a week, the team has had three unofficial meets, two at Montgomery Hill Trail and one here at Pioneer.
Anna Thomas, 10, found that she really enjoys these meets and loves getting to congratulate her team members.
“My favorite part (about running) is the community and finishing a hard race,” said Anna Thomas.
The team atmosphere and adrenaline rush from sprinting motivated sophomore Skylar Thomas.
“I've always liked running and the idea of going faster than I had been was motivating,” they said.
Sophomore Mikayla Como’s favorite part about races is sprinting at the end, although she finds long-distance running challenging.
“What motivates me to finish an exhausting run is knowing I’m almost there, and how I hate to lose,” said Como.
Girls’ varsity cross country runner Sophia Gonzalez, 12, is happy that the group is having real competition with other people, despite the circumstances.
“All of the races are kind of like competition but it’s good that they have those actual meets and they’re gaining skills for when they move onto varsity,” said Gonzalez.
Sonia Feria, 11, feels the hardest part of running long distances is the mental factor of it, acknowledging that mental strength is just as vital as running ability.
“(The most difficult part is) definitely just trying to keep running, it’s a mental game. Your legs will hurt, and so you want to stop, but you know (that) you have to keep going,” said Feria.
The importance of your mentality in running also applies to varsity runners.
“The hardest part about cross country is the mental aspect of it, it’s hard to keep going when you’re in pain, even though you can,” said Gunn.
Skylar Thomas has seen their stamina and speed improve greatly, pushing them to work to get faster.
“(The most challenging aspect) my body gets tired before my mind does, so I have to keep stopping to rest,” said Skylar Thomas.
Varsity player Erica Gunn, 11, supports the JV team in their perseverance.
“It’s really cool that they are still running without a full team, so it shows that they have dedication and love the team as much as I do. They also still support the rest of our team, and motivate others to do better,” said Gunn.