Cross country is more than just running; it’s the family, the person right beside you through every step, the breeze rushing past your face masking the pain in your legs. To the naked eye, one may not see this, but to the athletes pushing their pace and entering the finish line, this sport is their passion.
Freshman Jack Wertzel has been doing cross country since seventh grade. He stopped in eighth grade to join his friends in football, but Wertzel’s love for running brought him back.
“My friends were playing football, but for me, I like running a lot since I did track and baseball and all these running sports, so I felt like running kind of spoke to me,” Wertzul said.
One big thing that makes this team a family is the coaches. With their coaches behind their backs, these athletes can do anything.
Wertzul expresses his love for his coach, never questioning his authority. Wertzul listens to every word his coach says and applies it.
“Coach says my mileage and my pace. I look at my watch and I see my mileage and my pace, I just keep going that pace.” Wertzul said.
With coaches and teammates cheering on and watching each runner pass by, one foot hits the dirt, another one steps right beside it, through every mile side by side, entering the finish line.
