The JV and varsity cross country teams are gearing up for an exciting season, eager to improve their times. Workouts have become longer and more intense compared to last year, with the addition of Wednesday morning practices to ensure ideal conditions at Koret Field.
“The soccer field is actually a two-fold benefit,” said JV and Varsity Cross Country Coach Tom McGlynn. “The softer surfaces have less impact on the legs, and there is cooler weather in the morning.”
When asked what pushes her through tough morning practices, Co-Captain Lauren Zerella expressed the importance of a positive team culture.
“One of my goals is for the team to be bonded together,” said Zerella. “I feel like cross country also had such a tight-knit community, and I want to continue that with fun runs and … supporting each other during the meets.”
This season, both teams have been taking weekly trips to Waterdog Lake Open Space, a hiking trail with a gradual 1.3-mile incline. It has gotten them more accustomed to running on hills, which translates to their performance at races, like the Lowell Invitational that took place on Saturday, Sept. 7.
“Waterdog definitely prepared me for Lowell because the course has smaller hills, but compared to Waterdog, it wasn’t as big,” said freshman and JV member Cherise Li. “So, if you practice them more than you’re actually … in the race, then you’ll do better.”
With many JV runners experiencing their first race and varsity runners gearing up for another season, the teams are ready to conquer more challenging workouts and longer mileage weeks to prepare for meets against nearby schools, with their first league meet on Wednesday, Oct. 9.
