The blast of the starter’s gun has announced the start of the 2010 Jesuit Cross Country season. In recent years, many changes have occurred, some regarding workout intensity, others dealing with team bonding. There are many new plans, and no one is more energized and ready for the season than head coach Chris Lee. I had the chance to interview Coach Lee and get his thoughts on the team and the season.
1. How long will this season last?
A: The season will last until November 13th. That is the date of the state meet.
2. How many races is the team competing in?
A: There are 8 regular season meets and 3 championship meets – district 9-5A, region 2, and state.
3. What competition will the team be facing this year?
A: In our district, Lake Highlands has a solid team with a very good individual runner. In our region Kingwood and the Woodlands are always competing for the state title. The Woodlands are the defending state champs.
4. Which team do you think will be the biggest competition for the Jesuit Cross Country team this year?
A: Again, Lake Highlands in our district, but we need to focus on placing top 3 in our region. Teams like A&M Consolidated, Georgetown, and Klein Oak I will be watching closely.
5. Are there skill sets other teams have that place them more competitively past Jesuit?
A: Lake Highlands has a very strong front runner. We don’t have a front runner like that yet. I think Andy McCall could be that guy for us. Right now we are focusing on the team. We are trying to place 5 guys near the front of every race.
6. How would you judge the team’s past training routines?
A: In the past we would really have specific workouts that would focus on improving VO2max, lactate threshold, or efficiency. They were great workouts and we ran faster because of them. I felt that we never really competed well when it counted at the end of the season. We got really good at doing these workouts. We are now doing our harder intervals later in the season and including some specific endurance workouts to help us peak at the right time. For us this year, that will be district, region, and state.
7. So far, how has this season differed from last season?
A: I think our team is closer. There is a tighter bond among our guys. I think we are a better team because of this. We have more accountability with each other. We race as a team better.
8. What kinds of running strategies have you instructed the team?
A: Run fast.
9. How do you think the practices have improved the runners’ abilities?
A: I know that over the summer our team put in more miles than ever before. Some guys like Austin Scheets and Chris Hebig put up to 75 miles of running in one week. We had a lot of runners put in over 600 miles total this summer.
10. How do you train the team the day before a cross country meet?
A: Right now, early in the season, we will still go long the day before a meet. We are training through these early meets. Later, when we are trying to peak, we will run an easy 3 miles or so with some strides after.
11. What do you predict will be the outcome of this year’s races?
A: I think that we will run well when it counts. All that really matters is district, region and state.
12. What are your feelings and predictions about District and regional meets?
A: I have a good feeling about the district meet. But nothing is in the bag yet. We still have to go out and compete. I will have a better idea after I get a chance to see what the other schools do in meets.
13. What is an ideal cross country athlete to you?
A: An ideal athlete is someone who is committed to working hard every day, willing to push their body beyond the limit, and not afraid to hurt and then push even harder. I have a lot of respect for people who take a chance with running. This is not an easy sport. We are testing the very limits of our athletic bodies, and then asking them to push through those limits.
14. If you could change anything about this season so far, what would it be, and why?
A: I wouldn’t change a thing. I think we have the best cross country team, the best coaches, backed by the best administration at the best school in Dallas.
These passionate words are just the beginning of a well-prepared and conditioned 2010 season. Their goals propelling them through meets, the team has made a solid start to an outstanding season filled with tough competition and high standards. So come and support the Jesuit Cross Country team in their upcoming races and cheer them on to the state meet.
