Jared MinkComment

Cross Country is more than a sport.

Jared MinkComment
Cross Country is more than a sport.

 I had originally joined XC to play a fall sport because I wanted to play more sports than my sister, little did I know that I had a new favorite sport and another family. 


It was my Freshmen year that I finally had joined, not being aloud to in Jr. High, but I only ran for a little while before I was training with the fastest runners on the team! Then I had left for a family vacation and got out of shape and when I can back, all the varsity kids were faster but I still worked to get back to my number 3 spot on varsity. 


Before my first ever race I had hurt my hip in gym class and was a little sore but I ended up taking the 7 spot for the Saturday invite. I ran that pretty slow with my hip hurting but oh well. My 3rd race ever I ended up tearing my calf and it swelled up so big that I couldn’t wear jeans. That ended my season and I was devastated. 


My Sophomore season I came back determined and had so much support from my coach and teammates. I had a great season and stayed the number 2 runner for most the season. 
So now I’m a Junior and just had the best season yet. I trading the number 1 spot back and forth with my best friend the entire season and medaled at every race but one and qualified for the state meet, which is extremely hard to to in the area that I’m from. Else you’ve run XC in District 10 Championship Meet in Pennsylvania, you won’t know how hard that race is. 


The point is if I hadn’t had my Cross Country friendships I might not have run my Sophomore year, but look what I’ve done now. I’m fortunate to have a coach that will push me to my limits and encourage me in everything I do. 


Cross Country is more than a sport, it’s a family.

- @JaredMinker ( Jared Mink )

Jacob Lutzalmostdidntrun, cross country, run, xc, inspiring, coachesComment

AN ODE TO MY COACH

Like most people, I wanted to be the best. I was always competitive nature, wanting to be the best at whatever I did. Whether that be Soccer, Baseball, or Basketball, I strove to be the greatest, and worked hard to hone my craft. Around 5th grade I found running, and worked hard to become a good runner on my middle school team.

Jacob Lutzalmostdidntrun, cross country, run, xc, inspiring, coachesComment
AN ODE TO MY COACH
Anonymousbestof20171 Comment

A Letter to Non-Cross Country Runners

The fall sports season in my small town is centered around football and volleyball. Cross country is at the very bottom of the sports totem pole. No one cares about our sport. And we know that. We get that.

Anonymousbestof20171 Comment
A Letter to Non-Cross Country Runners
Kayla Shawbestof2017Comment

"Seven years ago I made a choice to run cross country, it's the best decision I've ever made"

Cross Country has taught me more in life that I could put into words. My coaches always believed in me even when I wanted to give up. I ran in every race. I raced when I was injured. I raced when I was sick. I even raced when I was extremely exhausted and not recovered from the meets previously in the week. 

Kayla Shawbestof2017Comment
"Seven years ago I made a choice to run cross country, it's the best decision I've ever made"
Michael Fountainbestof2017, parents perspectiveComment

Cross Country through the eyes of a parent

Yes, My wife and I are those crazy parents who run all over the course and cheer for every member of the team. We work to know each runners name, where they generally finish in accordance to the rest of the team, what outside factors tend to impact their performance and offer some encouragement while they fight to the finish. Why do we do that?

Michael Fountainbestof2017, parents perspectiveComment
Cross Country through the eyes of a parent