The leaves are changing colors, the weather is getting colder, and our running shoes are hitting the ground. Cross Country is a fall sport, where athletes run through courses at different parks and school campuses. Junior High courses are usually around 2 miles, and varsity courses are usually 3.1 miles. This sport is very uplifting, motivating, and competitive, with a team of fun personalities.

Freedom’s home meets are hosted at Brush Creek Park, with some occasional practices held there as well. Conditioning started in July, and mandatory practice, Monday through Thursday,  started in August. There are practices held at many different places, such as Brush Creek, Walter Panek Park, Brady’s Run, and our school district’s campus.

“I love being out in the woods [at Brush Creek], I think it makes me feel like it’s cross country when we get to run through the woods and experience all of that,” Ms. Ashley Spencer, junior high cross country coach, stated. “At meets, I love hearing parents cheer, it gives you that race atmosphere and gets you pumped.”

Mrs. Spencer has been coaching cross country for four years.

“[One of ] my favorite parts of coaching is seeing everybody grow. Every little bit of progress counts. Seeing kids grow, even when they don’t think they can, is my favorite part,” Spencer said.

The cross country team is growing year by year, with a mix of seventh, eighth, and high school runners. 

“My favorite thing about cross country is the bus rides to and from our meets. A lot of times we listen to music, eat snacks, and tell dad jokes,” Eli Bruce (8), second-year cross country runner, said. “In my opinion, the best course I’ve run is Brush Creek.”