Leading the Pack

While the alarm on your phone rings, athletes are stopping to re-hydrate themselves after waking up earlier than a normal student does. Across the football field, the boys are set in rows doing their stretching; the concrete foundation of building their 15 minute routines. Most warmups range from toe touches, and calf raises to quad pulls, and groin stretches. Before they know it, a whistle blows, meaning it’s time for them to get back on the track. The cramping quickly sets in as they attempt to wipe the sweat from their foreheads, having to convince themselves to keep going only for a short while longer. It’s a painful process, but it yields wonderful rewards.
On October 11th, 2024, the Cypress Springs Cross Country team advanced to regionals for the second year in a row. The race was led by sophomore Cheikh Djimde and
junior Nick Stubaus. The team finished their season 16th in the region.
Coming back home from a long bus ride from regionals, the boys can’t help but look back on their progress. Everyone else sees a bunch of youth
runners on a track, but the boys themselves see an opportunity filled future. As their routines descend into Indian runs, combined with Intervals, the amount
of drinking water in their bottles decreases. Those are some of the least-liked exercises; while the exercises consisting mostly of recovery routines are the most
liked.
“Stretching is a daily thing, especially as a runner. After a race, your muscles will be tight and constricted. Although on the weekends, I do fall behind on that
routine,” freshman Jayden Wiredu said.
Engaging in certain exercises that build core and leg strength, these adolescents gain flexibility over time. When they incorporate these stretching routines into their
training, it helps improve flexibility and enhances their running performance. This is also what grows them toward building their stamina. Breath control is easily an overlooked trait in running, but it goes hand in handwith stamina. Developing their endurance, they use breathing exercises identical to
diaphragmatic breathing, and paced breathing. Outside of Cross Country, breath control is also an essential component associated with mental health.
In addition to qualifying for these competitions, physical work isn’t the only thing that counts into winning. The mental teamwork that these teammates have grown into with each other is the structure of their wins.
“Cheikh Djimde is my biggest motivation. He is in the same grade as me and he is on varsity,” sophomore Kevin Wiredu said.
Another motivator that has led the team to success is their shared passion of running among the team as well as other athletes.
“My great-grandpa, Javier Ambrois, is definitely a huge motivation in my life. He actually played in the World Cup 1954,” Junior Lucas Pazos said.
As the season comes to an end, we must not forget the other side of the spectrum for Cross Country. The XC girls team had sophomores Elizabeth Alquicira and Kaitlyn Barnes qualify for regionals by placing 8th and 9th at district. The entire girls team had a strong district meet falling short by only two point of qualifying as team.