After finishing 8th in state last year, the 1997 cross-country team is off to a running start. At the recent Prep Invitational, the Crusaders finished third out of 15 teams. "We've really improved since last year. As a team weÕve been running really well," said Jane Howard, senior.
Coached by Mr. Roger Wright, this year's team consists of 32 runners and is relatively young. "We have a lot of new runners who are challenging last year's state runners. We have a lot more team competition which makes us tougher," said Coach Wright.
The team practices together 5 times a week and individually on weekends. "We work really well as a team. We all want to make it to state," said Emily Salzbrenner, freshman.
Practices usually consist of a 5-7 mile run. Collectively the team runs more than 200 miles a day. "You do all the hard work in practice but it all pays off in the meet," said sophomore Anna Jones, a 1996 state runner.
The Crusaders are hoping to continue their success in future
meets. "We want to qualify for state, improve on last yearÕs performance
and move up the ladder," said
Coach Wright. The Crusaders will be competing in the Millard West Invitational at Walnut Grove Park today and Metros on Oct. 9 at Chalco Hills.