Salem Academy’s cross country team hit the ground running this July, beginning with summer workouts and morning bike rides. Official practices didn’t start until August 15th, but that didn’t stop the team from getting an early start. The athletes have their work cut out for them if they want to become faster, cut down their times, and get a personal record at the next meet.
This year’s senior line-up is Sam Kenyon, Davis McHugh, Abbey Moe, and Josh Steffen. Senior Sarah Tinseth is team manager, keeping an eye on the runners and making sure they aren’t getting into too much trouble. New to the sport this year are Josh Elker, Yaira Garcia, Dawson Patton, Kathryn Vincent, and Kaytlin Wearne. Returning runners are Bethany Bibler, Kate Christofferson, Clayton Dallwig-Black, Sarah Kenyon, and Sarah Steffen, and William Twist.
Weekly competitions at Bush Park, a pancake run, and multiple jaunts to Baskin Robbins all make cross country sound easy. Throw in two mud runs, a Seaside trip, and the annual Goofball Olympics, and this sport sounds like a blast. But it isn’t all fun and games. With Coach Wright and Coach Bibler in charge, practice is definitely not easy. Running several miles, hill training, ab workouts, and push-up sets are all in a day’s work for this team.
It sounds crazy, so why do students do it? Junior William Twist says, “It’s a family type sport. The team…bonds over the long runs.” Sophomore Dawson Patton agreed, saying, “It’s like one big happy family.” Freshman Yaira Garcia said that she liked cross country because, “Running with friends is really fun.”
The cross country runners love their fans and supporters. Come cheer them on at some of their important meets. Pre-district and District meets are both in Bush Park, on October 20th and 27th, respectively. State competition is at Lane Community College on November 5th.
