Cross country starting fresh with new head coach
The Cedar Shoals High School cross country team started this season completely fresh. Head coach Brandon Mealer, math department, took on the coaching position hoping to revive the team over time.
“I’ve had some experience and interest, but I’ve not been a competitive runner at any point, so I’m having to learn about the actual competition side as we go,” Mealer said.
Starting from scratch and as a first-time coach, emotions, team energy and standards can be hard to manage, but Mealer wants his athletes to have a different point of view. He knows what is like being a runner and wants his athletes to stay positive. Since the team did not conduct spring conditioning, Mealer knows that the challenges ahead are going to be extremely difficult.
“I think this year is going to be a building year. I am hoping we can get to the point where we’re able to complete our competitions in a reasonable time. I’m hoping I give a sense of optimistic energy,” Mealer said.
WARMING UP: The cross country team warms up as they start a practice on Sept. 30. Despite the short time period that the team has known head coach Brandon Mealer, senior Alexa Ibarra-Loera feels optimistic. “I’ve only known him a couple days, but I can tell that he’s a good person and he actually enjoys what he’s doing,” Ibarra-Loera said. Photo by Sophie Meile.
Mealer doesn’t want to set extreme expectations, so he does what he can to help his runners improve to their best ability. Senior Alexa Ibarra-Loera, a first-year runner on the cross country team, is excited about the season but knows that it will take time to get back to the runner she used to be in middle school.
“He makes sure that we’re not overdoing it. If we don’t feel too good, he makes sure we’re drinking enough water, getting enough rest, but he’s also pushing us to do our best,” Ibarra-Loera said.
Participating in cross country in middle school, Ibarra-Loera enjoyed it, so she decided to give it another try her senior year.
“I hope we all just create a better relationship with one another. We can all learn to become faster, better runners, and I really want to push myself to do better,” Ibarra-Loera said.
The cross-country team begins the season with two boys and five girls. As the season progresses they strive to reach their team goal, to complete the 5k race in under 20 minutes. With the team being so small Mealer hopes to get more participation next year.
“If anybody’s interested in running cross country, they can come next year and sign up. That’d be great,” Mealer said.
