By Jennifer Gomez | Staff Writer
The spirit of the run is alive at Indian Trail High School & Academy. The Hawks cross-country team has doubled in size since last season and is now 40 members strong. The 2013- 14 runners are also performing quite well, with many achieving new personal records on the course.
Cross-country is an open-air race, 21⁄2 to 3 miles long, over natural terrain. Athletes compete individually and points are added from the top five runners for a team score; lowest score wins. IT’s best team performance so far was at
“We try to think of cross country as a team sport. You’re only as good as your
fifth runner.”
the 2013 Ladish Invitational in South Milwaukee, where the varsity boys took third place and the junior varsity girls won first place.
“We try to think of cross country as a team sport, you’re only as good as your fifth runner,” said Head Cross Country Coach Brian Vanderhoef.
Both physically and mentally demanding, some may wonder why a person would want to do a sport that is considered a punishment for other sports.
a varsity runner who is also a Comprehensive senior.
Students don’t just do it for the love of the run, they also do it for the sense of belonging the team gives them.
“In cross (country) all the kids are funny all the time. They all do crazy things but they are all really smart,” said Andrew Daghful, a varsity cross country runner and Comprehensive sophomore.
“Everybody on the team is extremely close. It’s almost like one giant family,” he said.