As the cross country season reaches its midpoint, athletes and teams settle into the rhythm of training and competition. Early morning meets have provided a sense of where each runner stands, and now the focus shifts to consistent improvement and team cohesion. This part of the season is often the most demanding – physically and mentally. It’s also where strong bonds are formed. Through long runs, interval workouts, and shared experience, teammates push each other to grow. Mid-season is not just preparation for the final stretch, it’s about becoming a stronger team, one step at a time. We have an exciting schedule to look forward to: 9/13 Tahlequah Sequoyah, 9/22 Wister, 10/4 Chili Pepper, 10/18 Regional meet. The runners try to be motivated for each meet. “We try to stay positive and improve each meet,” says Coach Ballard.
The meet in McAlester turned out incredibly good for the cross country HS boys (3200 meters). They came in as 1 (Kyle Li), 2 (Hammond Yandell), 3 (Jackson Strickland), 4 (Xander Hendrix), 5 (Trek Snyder), 16 (Cayden Eatmon), 17 (Sawyer Chitwood). With an average time of 12 minutes and 29 seconds. Our girls ended as 6 (Chloe Wiles), 12 (Avery Cruse) and 25 (Charlotte Mussman)! The Boys also performed well in Tom Stuthard (5000 m run), they finished as, 2 (Trek Snyder), 6 (Hammond Yandell, 8 (Kyle Li), 9 (Jackson Strickland), 10 (Xander Hendrix), 24 (Cayden Eatmon) and 30 (Sawyer Chitwood).
This season brings us two seniors, Xander Hendrix, and Chloe Wiles. They both look motivated for what is coming and they know what it takes to perform well and reach the goal they are working for. They have the cross country spirit. Qualifying for State is the biggest goal this season, so that takes some preparation, such as going for a run with their friends after school, taking good care of their health and having fun. Preparing for a race may seem like a lot, but some runners don’t over complicate things. Senior Chloe Wiles has a very specific motto to keep her going throughout the season. According to Wiles, “Don’t die, just run.”
