While progressing with pace through the Cap-8 season, Wakefield’s Cross Country team is looking to place high in the league individually and as a team. With grueling daily practices and intense meets in various terrains, one would question why anyone would choose such a sport.

“One day I just felt like running,” said sophomore Reid Calhoun, statistical leader on the team. “I run to get better and improve myself in every way. I enjoy the friendships as well as the competition it brings.”

Though the 5 kilometers are run individually, teammates play a huge role in the successes of each other.

“Everyone on the team pushes one another to run farther or faster so that we can all be the best runners that we can,” said junior runner Alec Ashforth.

“Cross country is a team sport in the sense that you train together,” said Calhoun. “In the end you score individually as well as a team, and you have to all push each other and support each other to get faster.”

Alexandra McNamara, a first-year junior, also agrees in the idea of Cross Country being a team sport.

“I love Cross Country because to me, it’s a team sport,” said McNamara. “I am running alone in meets, but I always see teammates on the sidelines cheering me on. The encouragement from others pushes me in races and practice to give it my all.”

Younger runners Wyatt Schug, Reid Calhoun, Alec Ashforth, Benton Haney and Evan House all have high goals of breaking 17 minutes in the 5K race and placing at least fifth place in the Cap-8 as a team.

Motivation and drive is also a huge factor, along with nutrition, according to the runners.

“To prepare for a big meet, I normally get a good breakfast, listen to music and warm up,” said McNamara. “During the race I try to remain calm through the discomfort. Although Cross Country doesn’t require extreme mental strategy like soccer and tennis, it is a very mental sport. If your head isn’t in the right state of mind, which could be the difference between winning and losing.”

“I just focus on trying to pass the person running in front of me. I try to ignore the temporary pain and focus on achieving my goals,” said Ashforth. “The night before, I drink plenty of water and try to go to bed earlier to be well rested for the race.”

Calhoun also agrees with his teammates statements.

“Getting prepared for a big meet is a very serious thing for me,” said Calhoun. “I like to start by getting a good dinner with lots of carbs and lots of rest. In the morning I eat a good breakfast then at the meet do a good long warm up make sure everyone is feeling good to race.“

With Regional Championships coming up, Coach Schug will select fourteen to represent Wakefield against  the best runners in the region.

“We will continue to work on speed work,” said Schug. “Coach Krassy and I will do some team bonding for the fourteen we are taking to regionals such as: Doing runs together, have team dinners and help them unite is some of their last races of the year”