Arete: Striving for Excellence

Story by Saafia Masoom

  As PHS students welcome new policies and schedules, the cross country team also ushers in the school year with a big group of first-time runners and continuing tradition of excellence by its veterans. With thirty-seven girls, including managers, and thirty boys, PHS is seeing the largest girls’ team in the history of the cross country program.

  Cross country is an endurance-based sport that involves long distance running over grass, trails, and other types of terrain. As Coach Serres puts it, “To keep it basic, it’s one foot in front of the other.” While girls’ races are approximately 2.5 miles (4K) and the boys run about 3.1 miles (5K), it’s important to mention that runners have to be prepared for any conditions. Think you have what it takes? Well, as Mattea Scanlan (‘14) describes it, “You just have to be willing to work hard and have a positive attitude.”

  In addition to the physical aspects, cross country athletes gain an immense amount of mental strength throughout the season that is applicable to real life as well. “It showed me that I can do whatever I put my mind to,” says Cullen Bryla (‘14), one of two medalists from PHS on the boys’ side at the Verona Invitational. Ben Bahr (‘14) adds that the sport “gives you good habits,” not only for other sports, but also for tough school work.

  The team broke into the season with their first meet in Verona on September 5th, a start the coaches were quite pleased with. Serres states about his fellow coach Spider Frommader, “It wouldn’t be the same without him,” while Michelle Clough (‘14) adds about both of them “They’re wonderful and supportive.”

   So, whether you’re looking for a chance to socialize and meet cool people, to get in shape, to push yourself to the limit, or just to get all of your angst out while having a great time, cross country is probably a good fit for you. As Bryla says about his sport, “It’s a great experience that you cannot truly understand until you go out and try it for yourself.”