Cross-country is a difficult, and is a not very well known sport, and because of this the team is usually quite small. Most people do not realize how hard it can be. Running four to six miles in the hot sun, mid-day, can really take a lot out of a young student. Coached by Mr. Chad Feathers, this year’s cross country team is doing quite well with many individual awards received at meets. On Tuesday, August 13, they traveled two hours away to the Big Ditch Lake invitational. On the boy’s team, Bryce Childers placed second, Sam Starkey placed fourth, and Cory Shingleton placed nineteenth. On the girls team Lavania Lemasters placed fourth, Adele Thrush placed sixth, and Kayla Means placed sixteenth. Overall, the girl’s team placed third. “It takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but eventually you work up to become the best runner you can possibly be,” said two year cross country and track runner, Hayley Willey.
Almost every day after school, you can see the cross country team running around Robert C Byrd’s campus, working, and running hard, so that they can do well at their next race. With a small team, each individual has to work hard, and push themselves to the fullest. “It’s really hard, and takes a lot out of you, but after you finish a difficult workout, you realize how rewarding it was, and you think to yourself, “WOW I just did that”, said freshman cross country runner, Sophia McMillion.
Bryce Childers is a two year member of the team, a previous state qualifier, and the boys team captain. Bryce also ran in his middle school years, but took and two year break to play football. Realizing in his junior year that cross country was what he was meant for, he quit the football team to run. This year, Bryce plans on going back to the state meet and proving what he can do.
Lavania Lemasters is a four-year member of the team, two year state qualifier, and the girl’s team captain. Lavania placed in the top ten during her freshman and sophomore years, but unfortunately was injured right before the regional meet her junior year. This year Lavania plans on returning to the state meet, and taking back her spot on the podium.