In most sports, senior leadership is a key part of a team’s success. However, some teams struggle when seniors leave and the new year begins. The cross country team must now overcome this by moving on. 

This year, they will be running without athletes such as alumni Josh McKinley and Sydney Voss, among others. According to sophomore Brittney Kennedy, losing seniors is tough, but the team will move on like always.

“We definitely lost a few great athletes, but I’m sure this year the team is going to be great,” Kennedy said. “We are very close and really want to succeed this season.”

Junior P.J. Brown says losing McKinley helps motivate the team even more.

“Josh was one of the best runners this school has ever had, but he was the only varsity runner we lost,” Brown said.

Brown went on to say the team is a lot more consistent than last year, and the team wants to perform better with McKinley being gone.

During the summer, the cross country team practiced around 35-45 minutes each day. Per week, they ended up running around 25-35 miles. According to Brown, it takes a lot of strength and stamina to be successful in cross country.

“Our team is very motivated and works very hard at every practice, and every person gives everything they can to succeed,” said Brown. “Our number one goal is to make it as far as possible as a team, whether that means going to sectionals, or even state.”