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Cross country team makes a splash

Posted 8/27/13

The 2013 cross country season is officially up and running with a large roster of 45 Falcons set to race through the next several months.

Looking back on last season, head coach Chris Davis said …

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Cross country team makes a splash

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The 2013 cross country season is officially up and running with a large roster of 45 Falcons set to race through the next several months.

Looking back on last season, head coach Chris Davis said he felt his squad had a solid fall.

“We did very well, especially the girls,” Davis said.

“Sierra Jarriel won the section and took second place at state. Overall, the team ended up in 14th place, so that’s good.”

This year, though, Davis said he’s hoping to see the Falcons fly even further.

“We have quite a few freshmen who came up from the middle school and they are doing real well so far this year,” Davis said.

“And then we have all of our returners, who are still strong. I’ll be able to tell you more about how we’re looking after we race a couple of meets.”

Davis said that the roster is currently set at a monstrous 45 athletes that, on average, will shrink a bit as the team moves deeper into the season. So far, though, he said that practices average about 38 kids, and he feels that’s a solid estimate for what the season will offer.

Those are rather impressive figures, especially since cross country practice requires these high school students to meet for workouts at 5:15 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

As in recent years, Tuesdays and Thursdays through the early part of the season sees workouts heading to Peaks Athletic Club for aquatic training in the afternoon. So far, he said the team has been tackling the early morning workouts with minimal complaint.

“The ones who are really interested in running cross country seem to like it because you don’t have to run in the heat,” Davis said.

“Well, it’s still hot even at five in the morning, but at least you don’t have to deal with the sun beating down on you.”

As for the pool, Davis said that he appreciates the chance to get in some zero impact training, which is good for building muscle and endurance without adding too much stress to the system.

When running, he said the team also tries to stay on the grass around Fountain Park. It provides a tougher run, but keeping off pavement is better for preventing injuries.

Davis said the 2013 squad boasts a lot of young blood with only about eight seniors between the boys and girls teams.

On the whole, though, he said practices are coming along nicely.

“Some of the kids didn’t work out through the summer, and you can tell by the way they’re running,” Davis said.

“But in a couple more weeks they should have caught up with the other kids. Everyone seems to be doing well on our shorter runs, though. It’s the longer runs where things get spread out.”

Team camaraderie is strong again this season, according to Davis, as he notices his team members laughing, sharing jokes and having a good time with each other as they work through practices.

“They’re communicating well with each other this year,” Davis said.

“Everyone is getting along and enjoying themselves.”

Davis said a coach is only as good as the people who support him, and he counts himself lucky to have a group of strong assistants working with the athletes, helping them to improve. Assisting Davis and his staff this season will be team captains Scott Jarriel and Michelle Farella, a pair of seniors who know the program inside and out.

“They’re taking to the leadership role very well,” Davis said.

“They’re a big help at keeping everyone organized and making sure everyone is doing what they’re supposed to be doing.”

With all of that combined, Davis said that the Falcons’ goal this year is to place high in the section and have a good showing at state. He’s hoping that a section title or two might even be in the cards.

The Falcons will host a pair of meets out of Fountain Park this season, one on Sept. 14 and the other on Oct. 26, both at 8 a.m. The season begins next Monday, Sept. 2, with an away meet at the Silverado Golf Course for the Sole Sports Invitational.

Davis said that he’s looking forward to seeing some fans out to cheer the Falcons on at some of the closer meets, but he’s especially eager to see a good turnout at the two home runs.

“For our first home meet, 28 have shown interest already, so it could be a big event,” Davis said.

“The parents this year seem to be more in touch with the team as a whole. They’ve already shown a lot of interest in cross country, and we appreciate that.

“But everyone should come out and watch. We have some kids who are ranked in the state top-20, so it should be a good show.”