Our boys and girls cross country season has been off to a good start! While we started back in August, we have grown stronger and better every meet. The Canes have been working hard and it has definitely been showing! Lola Olson, a senior and a captain, has gotten a medal at every single meet. On the boys’ side of things, Christian Larson kicked off his season at the front of the pack, with Danny Paquin right behind him. These two boys are always neck and neck on the course.
Cross Country head coach, Joy Keller, has been with our cross country team for three years. She said she loves coaching this team because, “I have had a lifetime love of running and love being able to share the feel good aspects of it.”
The assistant coach, Jess Aubart, is in her first year of coaching this sport. Coach Aubart has really enjoyed coaching the team, as she loves, “making an impact on young athletes.” The girls running this season are Lola Olsen, Maria Halberg, Cece Toshner, Celia Strottman, Zada Sinclair, Julianna Lawrence, Cynthia Hart, JayLeiya St. Germaine, Karlee Anderson, Quinn Martin, and Minnie VanVonderen.
From an athlete’s perspective, Lola Olsen suggests that students should join the team, “…to better their physical and mental health, and to be a part of a very close team.” Our girls team placed 4th overall at the conference meet out of ten teams on October 14th, with Lola Olson placing 4th overall!
On the boys side, our running Canes are Christian Larson, Danny Paquin, Jack McCallum, Blaise Kidder, Freddy Principie, Asher Vincent, Viktor Enk, Gabe Paquin, Heal Dums, Brendan Young, Marco Munive, and Gus Gregory. Our boys team finished 5th overall at the conference meet out of ten teams with Danny Paquin getting 11th overall. He also got his first medal of the season!
Now if you’re wondering what the team dynamic is like? Well a captain and a junior on the team can answer that for you. Christian Larson says, “We’re all fighting for our lives to overcome every course that comes our way. The team dynamic is what truly makes cross country special because it reminds us that we aren’t fighting alone.”
Now you may be wondering right now, how could I join this sport, or just learn more about it? Well, here are some things to know about cross country running. During meets, all the boys run together and all the girls run together, and all middle school runs together. So the competition can be a lot harder than most sports. It’s not just physically challenging and tough, it is mentally challenging as well. When you attend a meet, you can see the determination and hurt just when they’re running. You can see they hurt so bad sometimes, but they don’t give up! It is crazy to watch them because they look so tired, but they see that finish line and they leave everything on that course like they don’t have practice tomorrow. Cross country runners are tenacious!
This year’s seniors have had a great season, and some had comments reflecting on their careers. Lola Olsen said her favorite team memory is, “The summer running camp at Joy’s house my junior year.” Viktor Enk said that meeting new people was his favorite thing. It’s a great opportunity to meet new Hayward people, but also people from other schools.
Zada Sinclair, a senior who is new to Hayward this year said, “The bus rides and being at the meet in Griak being with the team in the hotel rooms and swimming with them.” Most underclassmen agree with her about how fun the bus rides are. Plus who doesn’t like a fun overnight meet?!
Finally, Freddy Principe said his favorite memory is, “Running a PR (personal record) at the home course which was a 19:20.” Beating your own PR at a home meet is always a big achievement, as you know you’re supported by your fans!
If this sport sounds like something you’d like to join for next year, reach out to a member of the team! In the meanwhile, get some miles in during the off-season and get ready for next season!
