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Gotta run? Try cross country
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Ainslee S. Wittig/Range News Senior Stephanie Acuna leads the girls' team. |
By Ainslee S. Wittig/Arizona Range News
Willcox High School Cross Country Coach Mike Nelson is looking for runners - girls in particular.
"We are trying to encourage any student who enjoys running to consider joining. A competitive team requires five runners to complete a race in order to score team points, so Willcox needs at least one more girl," said Coach Mike Nelson.
The season began July 31 with a clinic open to any interested high school students. Official practices for nine boys and four girls began Monday, Aug. 7.
"Without a fifth girl running, we do not have a full girls' team. That means only individuals can qualify for state. She must finish in the top 15 of the Regional State Qualifying Meet in October," said Nelson in regards to reaching the state competition.
"The boys have potential; they have to finish in the top 6 of 12 teams at the Regional in order to qualify as a team. We do have very good individuals on both the Girls and Boys squads."
Nelson said his goals for cross-country athletes are not about winning competitions, however. "Number one is to enjoy running. Number two is for each individual to set and constantly readjust goals in order to reach his or her potential.
"Running is not competition against others; rather it is competition against self to try to be the best you can each day. Competition is simply a tool to reach that goal. Other goals are typical management and self-discipline goals: be eligible; remain injury free; be a good teammate; take care of your responsibilities," he said.
Girls running this year include Stephanie Acuna, Britinie Hardine, Mayre Guzman, and Nicole Secker.
Boys running this year are Ben LeVine, Dwight Simon, Andrew Kraus, Thomas Martinez, Jeremiah Walpert, Dan Kraus, David Spitzer, Derek Wolslagel and Terry Mathis.
First-year runners on the team are seniors Hardine and Martinez; and sophomores Guzman and Mathis.
Willcox will host two home meets: Tuesday, Sept. 19, at 4 p.m., at the Yucca Sierra site five miles east of town; and Wednesday, Oct. 4, at 3 p.m. at the same site. The public is invited to attend the meets without cost.
There are seven regular season meets on the road, including three in Benson, and one each in San Carlos, San Manuel, Safford and Tombstone. The regional meet is Oct 26. State follows Nov. 4.
To sum up his philosophy, Nelson said, "I ask of the team members what I ask of myself: Do the best you can, regardless of the mental or physical conditions. No one can ask more."
"We are trying to encourage any student who enjoys running to consider joining. A competitive team requires five runners to complete a race in order to score team points, so Willcox needs at least one more girl," said Coach Mike Nelson.
The season began July 31 with a clinic open to any interested high school students. Official practices for nine boys and four girls began Monday, Aug. 7.
"Without a fifth girl running, we do not have a full girls' team. That means only individuals can qualify for state. She must finish in the top 15 of the Regional State Qualifying Meet in October," said Nelson in regards to reaching the state competition.
"The boys have potential; they have to finish in the top 6 of 12 teams at the Regional in order to qualify as a team. We do have very good individuals on both the Girls and Boys squads."
Nelson said his goals for cross-country athletes are not about winning competitions, however. "Number one is to enjoy running. Number two is for each individual to set and constantly readjust goals in order to reach his or her potential.
"Running is not competition against others; rather it is competition against self to try to be the best you can each day. Competition is simply a tool to reach that goal. Other goals are typical management and self-discipline goals: be eligible; remain injury free; be a good teammate; take care of your responsibilities," he said.
Girls running this year include Stephanie Acuna, Britinie Hardine, Mayre Guzman, and Nicole Secker.
Boys running this year are Ben LeVine, Dwight Simon, Andrew Kraus, Thomas Martinez, Jeremiah Walpert, Dan Kraus, David Spitzer, Derek Wolslagel and Terry Mathis.
First-year runners on the team are seniors Hardine and Martinez; and sophomores Guzman and Mathis.
Willcox will host two home meets: Tuesday, Sept. 19, at 4 p.m., at the Yucca Sierra site five miles east of town; and Wednesday, Oct. 4, at 3 p.m. at the same site. The public is invited to attend the meets without cost.
There are seven regular season meets on the road, including three in Benson, and one each in San Carlos, San Manuel, Safford and Tombstone. The regional meet is Oct 26. State follows Nov. 4.
To sum up his philosophy, Nelson said, "I ask of the team members what I ask of myself: Do the best you can, regardless of the mental or physical conditions. No one can ask more."
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