Cardinal Cross Country Gets Underway

By Dylan Monahan

Although cross country appears to be an individual sport, it is just as much a team sport as any. From start to finish you have your whole team cheering each other on, just like any other sport. The entire team has been busy preparing for the early part of their season.

Cross country is a very nerve racking and is a physically draining sport. Many believe that the most difficult part can be the mental aspect.

“The most important muscle to develop in running is the mind. If we think we can do it, we can! Once the decision to run is made, everything else is so much easier,” said Coach Boone.

The goal of many teams is to build off the success in the past. The team has had state competitors and state placers in the recent years and is looking to continue the trend. Last season junior Jon Miller was a 4A state qualifier. Jon has been excited for the 2013 season to begin since the end of last school year.

“I hope to go back to state, but this year place in the top ten and run a 16:30 minute three mile,” said Jon Miller.

The team recently ran at Wamego on Saturday, Sept. 14. The boys placed 11th out of 20 with top varsity placers Miller coming in at 13th place, senior, Gunnar Norris placing 37th, and sophomore, Jayce McQueen at 51st. The girls did very well and placed 6th out of 14. With top varsity placers, senior, Kelsey Balluch coming in at 17th, followed by, freshman, Ashleigh Hicks at 24th, and, sophomore, Maria Wellman placing 33rd.

The team is out working hard everyday to achieve their goals and plan to stay strong as the season is in it’s beginning process. The athletes look forward to a great season and plan to have a fantastic time doing it!  They plan to do just that when they travel to Lawrence for the Rim Rock meet on Saturday, Sept. 28.