Following an encouraging previous season featuring a McDaniel appearance at state, the cross country team is looking to capitalize on their momentum and carry themselves to another fruitful season.
“We really try to stick to three rules: run fast, run hard, have a good time,” Senior Santana Apodaca said.
Apodaca has been running cross country since his sophomore year and he has witnessed his team’s growth firsthand.
“Everyone has definitely grown a lot since last year. We ended last season on a note where we were thinking we could do better next year, and that’s our plan this year,” Apodaca said.
Head coach Ryan Keene has helped push several seniors to state in the past. However, he is faced with the biggest and youngest team he has ever had the opportunity to coach. This perceived challenge has not deterred him though, as Keene and his Mountain Lions have been training hard all summer.
“We’re a young team with a lot of freshman and first-year athletes. We had a good training block over the summer: it’s been a hot summer and we’ve been working hard. Now it’s just a race to the district meet,” Keene said.
Although the team has seen a massive influx of freshman runners, the team still maintains a well-seasoned senior class.
“Every year we’re trying to move up in the district standings. This is the best girls team we’ve had,” Keene said. “We’re aiming to be in the top half of the district, really pushing it towards that top three. With the boys we have a great senior class like Josh who made state last year,” Keene said.
Entering his fourth year, senior captain Josh Hepner has taken on a mentor position, advising underclassmen to perform at their highest level.
“Go by feel, listen to the coach, ask questions, don’t be afraid to talk to the coach even if the coach seems a little intimidating,” advised Hepner. “Above all stay consistent.”
You can’t be a competitive athlete for your entire high school career without making some rivals, and Hepner has one in particular.
“Franklin is always at the top,” Hepner said. “They won state last year, and they’re probably gonna do it again this year–unless I have something to do with it.”
Hepner and the team will get their chance to show out on Oct. 11 at the Rose City Invitational, though the Franklin Lightning will not be in attendance.
In the words of Keene: “It’s our next big chance to go against the top schools in the state.”
