Cross country is about to end its season, and several team members feel this season has been successful.
Jackson Gardner, seventh-grade team member, is in his first season on the team. Gardner has found a lot to enjoy about being a part of cross country.
“My favorite part about cross country is racing others,” he said.
He has been involved in the team since the start of the school year. When it comes to be new to the team, Gardner isn’t alone.
Zander Kamal, a sixth-grader, is also in his first cross country season. Kamal said cross country does have it’s difficulties, but he also finds it fun.
“My motivation is getting to eat after meets,” Kamal said.
Gardner and Kamal Join some older team members, including eighth-graders Jaylee Hornbeak and Evelyn Cruz.
Jaylee Hornbeak, who is in her first cross country season, said she enjoys being part of the cross country team and attributes her motivation to her teammates because she doesn’t want to let them down. She said her teammates give her encouragement to try her hardest.
She also appreciates cross country because it’s something she can work at to get better at.
Her perspective for the sport is to put effort into it and run a lot because it helps a lot with stamina.
“The hardest part about cross country is running on a hot day,” Hornbeak said.
For Cruz, the hardest part about cross country is the running.
“My favorite part about cross country is placing/winning,” she said.
Cruz has been running since she was in the third grade. And her motivation is placing in each meet.
She said her advice for the newer team members is not to walk because it only makes things worse since they will have to run more.
The next cross country meet is Friday at Cameron University.
