Hornet Cross Country Teams Taking it One Race at a Time

By:
Kayla Macy, Cody Beaver, and Kayla Carrico

The Cross Country team is shooting for big things this year, but just don’t have the numbers. They are eager to entice other runners to join and better their numbers because they barley have enough girls to field a team. They are focusing on one race at a time, but hope to be the best they can at regionals and qualify for the state meet. Many of them are hoping to better their individual times and to improve their team. Another goal is to beat the rival schools.

“The girls will be up against a strong Green County group that won region the last several years,” Coach Meserve said. According to Coach Meserve, “The boys will have their work cut out for them also. Owensboro Catholic placed second in the state last season and didn’t lose any of their top runners.”

The Cross Country team has been working hard in preparation of the upcoming season. Drema Johnson says “It takes a lot of determination and self discipline to stay focused and keep moving forward. Some runners do 3-5 miles each day with a total of about 50 hours over the summer.”

They all have to work very diligently Monday thru Thursday at after school practices. Not many teams this early in the season can start out doing 10 mile runs, but the varsity Cross Country runners do a ten mile run nearly every Monday. While most kids are on their way home to watch TV or sit on the couch and relax they are out in the heat practicing to be the best.

According to Kensey Estes, “It takes a lot of determination to stay focused even when your mind is telling you to stop.”

You have to encourage your teammates to keep going and to keep their spirits up. This is just one of the reasons that teamwork is so important to the cross country team. Your teammates push you to work harder and to be a better runner.

The girls and boys teams have many talented runners this year. They are coached by Mr. Meserve and Mrs. Anderson. With all of the determination and teamwork that they have, the HCHS Cross Country team looks to have a great season ahead of them.