The 2023 junior high cross country team was not able to compete in meets this year. This is because the cross-country team is not sanctioned by the WPIAL and is not considered an official team. The team is not approved by the school board, therefore the team does not have funding.
There was more interest this year than past years, but still not quite enough. Coach Ashley Spencer is documenting how many students attend each practice. She is also hoping there will be more sixth graders that have an interest next year.
The students have practiced a few times a week throughout the summer and have run at the Freedom Area School District track, Brush Creek Park, and Green Valley Park. They have practiced long distance running and speed work during practices.
“I am quite upset about this because we conditioned and practiced during the summer and we were hoping it was going to work out,” Mrs. Spencer, sixth grade teacher and junior high cross country coach, said.
Mr. Dave Badamo, FASD Athletic Director, was also hoping there would be a team but couldn’t get it approved in time. Mr. Badamo would also love as many runners as possible, especially when they get to high school.
“I think that there will definitely be a team to compete next year if there are sixth graders that will join in seventh grade,” Mr. Badamo said.
Some of the students are pretty upset considering that at the beginning of the season the team thought the team was going to be able to compete and then they were not able to, which was a disappointment. The team was able to attend a few meets and register as individuals, but were not able to run as an actual team in the race. The team even set up a meet at Brush Creek Park on Oct. 10 just for them as a fun competition against each other.
“I wish they had planned it better and told us beforehand there wasn’t going to be a team so we could sign up for more things as individuals,” Kylie Dambach, seventh grade student and cross country runner said.
This was a pretty big disappointment for everyone, but they are still grateful to be practicing and will be in great shape for track in the spring.
