Wakefield High School’s cross-country team is no stranger to challenges. Their rigorous schedule of practice from Monday to Thursday ensures runners are prepared to compete. Alongside physical training, the team emphasizes many aspects of teamwork and collaboration that are felt from race to race. Diet and maintaining physical health are crucial parts of doing well in cross-country. Many players spend countless hours working to maintain their physiques and stay healthy. 

Senior Sara Wenger highlights the importance of sustaining one’s body and being conscious of decisions that have the ability to impact a runner’s performance before competitions.

“You definitely need to take care of your body and think about those extra things like stretching and what you’re putting in your body 10-24 hours before a meet,” Wenger said.

Every player prepares to compete in different ways. Some people follow strict regimens, while others are more laid back. Senior Brayden Stumb weighs in on his personal preparations before a competition.

“Before my races, I always put on some music,” Stumb said. “[I] control my breathing, visualize the race and just focus.”

While physical performance is a key aspect of cross-country, players must also have mental fortitude. Senior runner Jack Watkins speaks on the importance of being mentally prepared. 

“A lot of times people say cross-country is a mental sport, and it really is because almost 90 percent of it is mental,” Watkins said. “So you learn a lot of mental strength, and I’ve learned to have that throughout other components of my life.”  

Stumb adds his own comments on the lessons he has learned from running cross-country. Lessons can vary from practical ones that help with training or bodybuilding, and even personal ones that develop not only the runners but also the understanding and love of the sport.

“If I struggle with something, I just keep going at it, and it’s really helped my work ethic,” Stumb said.

While many attributes of cross-country are independent of each individual, aspects like collaboration and togetherness are key ingredients to nurturing a sense of community. The runners on Wakefield’s cross-country team feel a great sense of camaraderie, and each member works to support each other. Senior runner Nathan Sunday understands how important it is for everyone on the team to have each other’s backs and keep spirits up. 

 “You’ve got to motivate people,” Sunday said. “You [have to] make sure that you’re working hard and that other people are working hard, putting in the miles.”

The support of fellow team members helps the runners continue to push forward while they compete. Cross-country may be an independent sport, but collaboration brings a great deal of mental support to the players. This is sensed through every race and every warm-up. The goals that stretch farther than the finish line are never crossed by a single individual but crossed together.

“You’re out there on your own, and you’re pushing yourself, but you know your teammates are no more than a minute or 30 seconds ahead of you,” Watkins said. “They’re right there.”