Cross Country: CCHS Team Finds Its Stride

Photo Credit: JP PORTRAITS

BY ANDY MORALES

As soon as the final bell rings, a cluster of kids search for a place to change into proper running attire and everyone is anxious for the run to begin. Finally when everyone has changed Coach Sodegren comes and explains what kind of run everyone will be doing.  After a warm-up (2 laps around the track) and a quick sip of water the real workout begins.

Cross Country is one of the most demanding sports. In the beginning of the season, the workouts merely consist of long distance runs at a moderately hard pace to build up everyone’s fitness level. As time goes by, the team and their talents aren’t merely contained to the track at the school. Making commutes to local parks and trails, training at these various locations challenges everyone to work harder and make the practice more like race day. As soon as everyone’s fitness has reached an peak level, the team will usually participate in speed training. Speed training is held on the track at school and is a very important in reducing the runners overall times from last year.

“We’re being pushed very hard, but it feels like we’re improving.” junior Erik Lopez-Hutton said.

Because of all this hard work it’s no wonder how Cooper City High has had a history of impressive seasons. Last year, everyone on the boys’ varsity team made it to regionals. Cooper City was even lucky enough to send one boy, Naz Whitehead, to states. His skills later catapulted him into the top 65 in the state. Our girls team has also experienced success. The team did well enough to make it as far as regionals. Still, this year the team is trying to improve further, even if that training is off the track.

“To perform better last year I should have eaten better. I would always go home and eat sweets and fatting foods, now I actually eat healthier,” junior Drew Sobrino said.

One of the biggest changes to the team this year is the unexpected resignation of long time cross country coach, Bob Nichols. Coach Bob has been the driving force behind the cross country team for many years and, just like a father, he has passed down many words of wisdom and was a well respected figure within the team. He was also the one who coined the Cross Country motto: “The body is willing but the mind is weak”.

Nevertheless, while Coach Bob was a one of a kind coach and will be missed greatly, the team is trudging on. Scott Sodergren, a math teacher at CCHS and assistant coach for the cross country team for three years has now taken the role of head coach.  As an avid runner and fitness enthusiast, he preaches many of the same values that coach Bob believed in and knows how to take the team to new heights.

Regardless of who’s coaching the team, The CCHS cross country team has a lot to live up to this year. Because St. Thomas is no longer stationed in Cooper City’s district, there are high hopes that the team can win districts this year. While this is no miniscule task, Sodegren and the rest of the team are willing to put forth the work needed to get there.

With the drive and determination to go far, Cooper City looks to the rest of the season with high hopes. The only thing left to do is leave it all on the run and not look back. After all “the body is willing but the mind is weak”.