Cross country is one of the fall sports currently underway at Duncan Middle School.
Cross country is a sport for students where they run anywhere from one to three miles outdoors, competing against other schools with the goal of finishing the fastest and winning points for the school’s team. The sport is open to sixth, seventh and eighth-grade students at DMS.
Allena Cotanny is one of the cross country runners this year.
“I love cross country because it makes me feel in shape, and I love it when I get a medal,” Cottany said. “It makes me so happy and winning a medal makes me feel special.” She also said, “I have been doing cross country since seventh grade, and this year we have new coaches, and I love them a lot. I think they train us very well, but I really miss my old coaches.”
Lilly Thomas is another cross country runner.
“I love getting to run with my teammates and getting to know more about the new people who decided to do cross country,” Thomas said. “I think cross country is very fun and very enjoyable, however the main reason I decided to do cross country is because it helps me get in shape for the other sports I play, like golf.”
Landry Terry also runs cross country. Terry said the cross country team provides a lot of support for each team member.
“I like cross country because it’s fun, and I love how everyone acts like a team and always supports each other and helps when others get down on themselves,” she said. “I get better by continuing to practice and work hard and I always have a good mindset instead of a negative one because not having the right mentality can affect your performance.”
For Peyton Williams, being in cross country is about team and individual goals.
“I Improve every practice,” Williams said. “I work hard and never give up, even when I feel like it. I run and show my coaches how much good work I put in.”
Williams has been competing in cross country for a little more than a year.
“I did really well in the meet, and I got second place,” she said. “My time was 6.34 at the Marlow meet.”
Cross country is a sport boys and girls can both participate in.
Jaxon Mitchell is among the boys on the boys cross country team. He ahs been on the cross country team for two years.
“I love Cross country because I love running together with people and being friends with people on the team,” Mitchell said. “I love doing cross country, and I really enjoy it, but I will not be doing it in high school.”
For Luci Cotanny, cross country provides friendships and experiences. She has been competing in cross country since her sixth-grade year.
“My favorite thing is going to meets and getting to miss school for cross country,” Luci Cotanny said. “I enjoy getting to do cross country so much, and I love becoming friends with new people.”
