The Jonathan Alder Cross Country team has stepped off to a great season start, and the runners are on a trajectory for a memorable year.
The season started at Buckeye Valley’s “Baron Blast” invitational meet where both teams placed first in a field of nine opposing teams. Their next meet is a night-time [under the lights] meet on Sept. 21 at Dublin Jerome. The team is looking forward to it because it’s a great spectator meet with an awesome atmosphere. “It’s the most local one and it’s at night so it’s a fun environment,” says senior Sarah Malone.
According to the team, their goals for the year are lining up to be a reality with some more hard work and dedication. Both the mens and womens teams are aiming to return to states and are hoping to secure a top ten finish this year, and they’re aiming for CBC and early postseason wins as well.
The team is also looking at the potential for some big individual breakthroughs. Junior Ella Luker says, “I’m hoping to break the school record this year [18:25],” she is currently at 18:31.
Between individual and team goals, the team is on a great track, senior Greg Nussbaum says, “It’s pretty early on in the season, but I think we’re racing well and we have a lot more races in the season so I’m excited.”
Senior Mason Hermiller says some of the new team members are really showing up in the season. “There are a few freshmen that are really picking up the old ground that had been left off and it’s really helping us out,” he says.
But the success of the team is much deeper rooted than simply running. “Over the years our team has gotten better about all working together to achieve our goals,” Malone says. “Even though you have to race individually, it’s all for the team.”
Having a good team culture and comradery is a huge part of how far the cross country team has come. “I want to do my best for the team and put them first,” Hermiller says. “I want to see my team and my friends succeed.”
Nussbaum agrees. “I think it [the team’s culture] contributes a lot to how we race, when you go out there and you’re just racing with your friends you tend to race better,” he says. Runners acknowledge that, despite racing individually, “what pushes you to do better is to do your part for the team,” says senior Ben Jackson.
The cross country team is always welcoming new members. As Luker puts it, “It’s not ‘you make the team or you don’t,’ literally anyone is welcome to come and run.”
While cross country may be potentially intimidating at first, the team is always there for each other and striving to lift each other up. “You don’t really need to be that great of a runner, the team will still accept you,” says Jackson.
Luker also mentions the emotional aspect, “We really focused on L.E.O. [Love Each Other] and just love everyone. It doesn’t matter where you come from or what you believe, we’re a family here, everyone is welcome.”
