OH is back in session again and a new cross country season has started. The teams are excited about the new techniques, games, challenges, and students who have joined.
“The team doing things more together, so having the training plan that helps us grow as a team and get us comfortable running which helps us in races. So, we can stay as a group running together,” said OH senior and cross country athlete Addison Ritcher who made a showing at State last season.
This year, the team is focusing more on the team collaborating as one instead of individually training. They want to create a different, healthier, and safer environment.
The OH girls cross country team also wants to focus on the team’s areas for growth and work together to determine a good training plan to increase their game plan and skills. In some ways, the girls team wants to demonstrate their new focuses in ways that will benefit the whole team.
“It’s like you have support while you’re racing. Like, you’re getting through the toughest times and you want to tell yourself that you can’t do this anymore and my legs hurt and that this is too hard and stuff. But, when you have your teammates, they will push you to your best and they’re there to support you and help you reach your goals as a team and as an individual,” said Ritcher.
This team wants to develop into a safer place and environment for everyone and upcoming new players. They want them to feel secure and like they’re all running together as one.
“We have transitioned from minutes to miles, which may make some difference in the volume and amount of miles the girls run. We have also added two coaches this year, which is a huge benefit for the young ladies in the program. This provides them more guidance and more attention every day,” stated coach and math teacher Alicia Rafferty.
All the coaches this year are focusing on one major area, which is culture. Rafferty said, “Building a strong culture is our first goal. We are also focusing on increasing their strength and mindset during races.”
Rafferty always encourages runners to trust the process and motivates her students to not give up, giving new runners advice and guidance. She believes that the best way to coach new and returning athletes is to “always meet athletes where they are at, and build them from there.”
Students in cross-country running create a strong sense of community and relationship. Cross country focuses on teamwork and support, compared to many sports that focus more on individual accomplishments.
As they encourage and motivate one another during practice and competition, students learn the importance of working as a team. School cross country is about creating healthier, stronger, and more connected people, it’s not just about running.
OH senior Riley Wilson, another cross country athlete, stated, “Something we’ve been working towards the past two years is having a team that’s really unified and just supporting each other. Nurturing each other on, and being just a positive environment.”
The focus on teamwork and unity creates a supportive environment where students may develop. Mutual respect and a sense of belonging are highly focused on when teammates support and appreciate one another’s accomplishments. Students grow in this encouraging culture not just as athletes but also as people who value understanding and teamwork.
Advice and guidance for the new upcoming runners this season was given by Coach Rafferty, telling the students to “Trust the process! This is an important phrase in cross country because distance running takes time to become better at. The best way to increase endurance is to give it time. The best way to become faster is to give it time. The best way to have a season that you are proud of is to give it time.”
This is my second year as a staff reporter for 42Fifty and I'm a Senior. You can contact me by emailing 42FIfty@sd308.org and putting my name in the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication!!
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