Varsity cross country: The Cowboys take a lap

BY KAYLA GATES

After long hours of practice and intense training, the girls and boys cross country team expected to run circles around their opponents. With the beginning of the season came an heightened confidence in their ability. However, a loss at the second tournament of the season served as a wake-up call for the players.

The meet took place directly after school on Tuesday, September 25. The Cowboys traveled to Markham Park, where they faced seven other schools. The competition included West Broward, Everglades, Cypress Bay, Flanagan, Miramar, Pines Charter and Western.

The runners participated in a three-mile race, working to achieve the fastest times. The team members finished with an average of 22 to 25 minutes but failed to top their competitors’ scores. With the opposing schools offering fierce competition, the players fell behind in the final rankings. As a result, the Cowboys were unable to pull off a successful win.

The team sent two girls and eight boys to represent Cooper City High School at the meet. Among them was freshman Claire Delacoste, who has been running competitively since middle school. Her speed even led her to win districts last year. Although disappointed with the loss, Delacoste remains optimistic, planning to use the opportunity to better herself.

“[Cross country] is a great sport, and I’m very happy I am challenging myself this year,” Delacoste said. “My hopes for the season are to improve and do the best I can.”

“We haven’t been performing as well because of the lack of practices.”

Delacoste is not the only new member of the team. With several freshmen new to the high school atmosphere, immediate success was not expected. Seasoned runners, who are accustomed to the intensity of the races, understand the time it takes to train beginners. They recognize this obstacle but are confident that it can be overcome.

The team also attributes the loss to decreased training time. Although practices are scheduled for every day after school, the weather often interrupts them. Players are all too familiar with the sound of the lightning horn, signaling athletes to return inside.

“We haven’t been performing as well because of the lack of practices,” sophomore Jacai Pitts said. “I feel like now we are trying to get back at it.”

With the cross country season just beginning, the team has no concerns when it comes to improvement. Pitts described his confidence in all of his teammates, regardless of their experience. He admitted that they have the talent, but simply need time to refine it.

The loss brought new issues to their attention, and the players plan to make necessary adjustments. As more time is spent training new members, the team is expected to perform better at tournaments, and ultimately place higher. With various meets still to come, the runners continue to see success in their futures. Regardless of their record, the Cowboys look forward to an outstanding season.

Photo by The Lariat Photography