Pre-season for all high school sports has started. On August 11, the cross country team met for their first official pre-season practice. “I think pre-season is important because it builds a lot of bonds for upcoming freshmen and prepares you physically and mentally for the sport,” sophomore Uriel Castaneda said. Pre-season is designed to enhance the team’s connection, prepare the runners for the season, and help them become the best runners possible..
Like other fall sports, pre-season is important for cross country. It is important because it helps build stamina for the races. Cross country is known for its long-distance runs. “We run the bulk of our miles in the summer, and it is vital conditioning time that makes the largest impact on our times,” Captain senior Delilah Davis said.
Pre-season is also used to create a team. Evolution Physical Therapy states that, “Knowing their teammates and feeling comfortable with group dynamics can significantly improve performance when the season begins,” Evolution also said that, “Additionally, it helps create a sense of belonging and camaraderie, making the season more enjoyable.” Since there are new runners joining the team at the beginning of the season, it is possible to create new friendships. “Pre-season is how I met some of my favorite upperclassmen and my closest friends. Having the opportunity to build each other up in a positive environment is a perfect way to start before the season starts,” Castaneda said.. Sportsmanship, bonds, and teamwork are all important things, especially in sports. “Although each race is run individually, cross country is still very much a team sport, and it would be impossible to make it through the season without a strong team dynamic,” Davis said.
New freshmen always build up both the size and energy of a team at the beginning of each season. “I believe only two new freshmen are joining cross country, and they bring new ideas and goals to the team,” Addie Williams, a sophomore, said.. Freshmen bring new talent to the team, but that also means they need to train more. According to Davis, pre-season is “the toughest time for new runners, but if you can make it through the first two weeks, the following months will be a breeze.” Freshmen are the future leaders of high school sports. The more a team teaches newer members to form positive bonds, the easier it will be for them.
Pre-season overall is very important for cross country. It helps build a team and helps build the bonds within a team to keep it strong. “It’s very important that the team starts training before the main season so that by the time cross country races come around, you’ve worked up to a point where you can really push yourself to do your best,” Williams said.
