Taking it to the next level is always a primary goal of a cross-country runner.
Over the years, I’ve watched many high school distance runners sacrifice a great deal of personal time to put in countless miles, in pursuit of becoming a better runner.
Whether it’s a frontrunner, striving for a trip to the state cross country meet, or a middle-of-the-pack runner, who just wants to clock a personal-best time, every athlete consistently hits the roads or trails to put in the much-needed work.
I remember years ago, a very knowledgeable and respected coach told me that cross country was the “purest sport” out there.
At the time, I wasn’t sure what he meant by that statement.
However, after being around the sport for quite some time, I now understand what he meant by that comment.
Over the years, I’ve learned that every student-athlete isn’t the same. Not every athlete has the same goals.
I’ve been around high school runners who had aspirations of making it to the state tournament. Some of these runners strived to earn all-Ohio honors or even win a state title.
I’ve also been around many athletes who just wanted to improve each time they hit the course.
That’s where the word “pure” comes in to play. A person gets out what they put in to it.
Many athletes take it upon themselves during the offseason to put in the extra mileage. More often than not, these runners come out strong during the fall and reach their personal goals. As a coach, there’s nothing more gratifying than watching an athlete accomplish their goals.
Probably the most gratifying experience I’ve ever had as a coach was witnessing this one particular athlete, come out for middle school cross country with the uncertainty of whether or not he wanted to participate in the sport. Then as time passed by, I watched him transform from a chunky 13-year-old to a very lean high school senior who was competing for one of the top seven spots on the varsity squad.
This young man I’m referring to, not only improved his time in the 5,000 meters, but he literally transformed himself from this out-of-shape middle-schooler into a competitive, lean high school runner.
I’m sure this scenario plays out more often than most people realize.
The sport of cross country produces different levels of champions – anywhere from the back-of-the-pack runner that records a PR, to a state champion that is standing at the top of the awards podium at the state meet. They are all champions in their own right.
It’s a fact that cross country does not get the publicity that other mainstream sports receive, and that’s OK for most of these young athletes.
I truly believe most cross-country athletes don’t get overly concerned on how much publicity they get. They seemingly have a rare, disciplined passion for running.
So, the next time you see a group of high school athletes running down a country road, please keep in mind they are doing much more than just getting in the way of ongoing traffic.
They are chasing their dreams.
SIEFKER PURSUING STATE TITLE
Ottoville senior Brendan Siefker, the 2016 Division III boys’ state runner-up, looks poised to make a run for a state title, as the season drawers closer to the midway point.
This year at the Columbus Grove Invitational (Sept. 2), Siefker clocked a time of 15 minutes, 34.17 seconds. At last season’s state meet, Siefker clocked a time of 15:34.9. Colonel Crawford’s Chad Johnson won last year’s state title with a winning time of 15:18.4. Johnson, a senior, and will look to defend his state title.
SREENAN BATTLING BACK
Last year’s Division III girls’ state champion, Lima Central Catholic’s Emily Sreenan, got a late start on her training this past summer.
This past spring, Sreenan suffered an injury that set her back several weeks, following the state track-and-field meet.
However, the past couple weeks, Sreenan, a senior, is looking more like she did last fall.
At this past weekend’s Ottawa-Glandorf Blue/Gold Invitational, Sreenan led from start to finish, clocking a winning time of 19:56.6 in the Gold Division race.
At last year’s state meet, Sreenan literally ran away from the competition with a winning time of 18:01.8. The nearest competitor trailed Sreenan by 23 seconds.
MINSTER GIRLS
Last year’s Division III girls’ team state champion, Minster, is revving up for another postseason run. At the Tiffin Carnival (Sept. 9), Minster won the D-III race, defeating second-place Mount Gilead 55-68. Minster was led by Emma Watcke’s winning time of 18:28.5.
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