The lime green and black-striped shoe pounds against the earth, causing specs of dirt and bundles of grass to come flying up into the pale white face of the runner. Mud-brown locks of hair flow into the bright blue, wide-open eyes that are constantly focusing on a single uniform and then moving to the next one, searching for a familiar pattern of gold and navy blue. The runner’s red cheeks move in and out, sucking in as much oxygen as possible and heavily blowing out any extra air.
At Norbuck Park, Jesuit hosted the Jesuit Cross Country Classic Invitational on September 30th that over 90 teams competed in, including our Jesuit varsity and JV cross country teams. The team won the 5th place spot for varsity and received 8th place for JV. This race was a 5k for both teams, or 3.1 miles, and 6.2 miles covered overall.
Connor O’Neill ’17 commented on the team’s performance, saying that they did “fairly 
well…It certainly wasn’t our best overall performance, but it is very nice to see everyone having smaller improvements each week.” Since Jesuit hosted this race, the course and atmosphere was familiar to the team, described by O’Neill as being “ a highlight of the season. It’s my favorite course that we run because it has flats, hills, and a forest, a true cross country course. It’s also very fun because you have all the parents, volunteers , and other runners from Jesuit, so there’s a familiar family environment.” He went on to explain how the team has been improving, recognizing that “we’ve had some obstacles this season, especially in terms of injuries. Although this may hurt our overall strength as a team, we still grow from it. This has allowed several of our guys to step up and see improvements each week. Through encouragement, we grow as a team.”
Coach Robinson similarly reflected on the team’s performance and improvement, acknowledging that “this team is continuing to improve in both strength/speed. The times reveal this weekly. Each week I see improved results in performance. Additionally, I think the real strength of this team is the bond they share with one another. They have worked, struggled, preserved, and achieved; but they did it together. Each helping another along the way.” He mentioned that before and after every race, he talks to the entire team, whether it is motivating them for the oncoming race, or congratulating them on a great performance. He explained the message that he tries to get through to each and every member of the team so “that the training is there to support faster efforts. Take a risk and get outside the comfort zone. The strategy is simple, ‘Run the first 2/3 of the race with your head; the last 1/3 with your heart.’ After races, I let them convey the message. I ask, ‘How did the race go for you?’ Their answer will direct me where to follow up. Most often, it’s a reflection that they could have done better or they had more left than expected. That’s where I come back to the original message to take a risk and not allow self-limitations hold them back. After all, if you want to walk on water, you have to step out of the boat.”
A fellow varisty runner and a fellow team captain of O’Neill, Sam Olden ’17, discussed the team’s performance in the race, saying that “the fact that it was Jesuit’s race motivated us to do well and we did just that by dominating in both the JV and varsity fields.” He commented on the team’s development and what he does as one of the four team captains to bring the runners closer together, that “our team is improving in every aspect week to week as we continue to grow closer together through practice and weekly meets..As a team captain, I try to instill a sense of brotherhood throughtout the team by simply interacting with all members through encouragement and socialization.”
In addition to Olden, Will Kelton ’20, who received a varsity uniform for his time in the Classic, mentioned that “having the honor to race in the varsity uniform is indescribable. I simply cannot put the pride and passion into words.” Kelton went on to describe the team’s overall performance as “fairly well…there were some guys that really stepped up…Several members of the team have set new personal records over the past couple weeks. If we can keep setting personal records and peak at major events, like district, regionals, and state, I’m confident that we can finish the season strong.”
As the cross country season comes ever so closer to Regionals, and potentially even State, the team improves every day with continuous workouts and a few pasta dinners here and there. Both teams made it into the top 10 places for this race, and, overall, the members of this strong team mentally and physically look onwards to their bright future ahead of them. O’Neill acknowledged what the team plans for the oncoming races, saying that “our training has us set up to run our best races at the end of the season when it truly matters. Therefore, we can’t get too bogged down by worse performances during the regular season. As we move into championship season, we need to stay humbly confident and work together to reach our goals, ultimately hoping for another shot at the state meet for the team and for success on all levels, both JV and varsity.”
The Jesuit team’s next race is the Flyin’ Hawk Invitational at Tarant County College in Birdville, Texas on October 8th. The team holds hope in their hearts of many PR’s for many of the runners and high rankings in the individual and team placings of both the JV and varsity races.
