Those of you who do not believe that cross-country is a sport are challenged to try it. Many CV cross-country members have said this along with our very own principal. 

“It’s an Olympic sport for gosh sakes,” said Principal John Neary. 

Cross country runners are also the highest academically this season and are scholarship types, he said. 

Bay Area high school runners are the second best in the world, said cross-country coach Bridget Paul.

Paul said that this year’s mens’ team will make it to state, as they did last year.

“What other sport has qualified for state in the last five years?” she asks now. Cross country runners are full of self-motivation. 

“We don’t have cheerleaders and time outs,” said senior Molli Hartig, “because it is pure competition.” 

Although he may not be a cheerleader, Neary is a big fan of cross-country. 

“It is my favorite sport,” Neary said. “The cream comes to the top.” 

The cross-country team doesn’t understand why a few people don’t find what they do a sport. 

“How can they judge something they’ve never tried?” said junior Cathy Flynn.

Eighty percent of the population can’t run two miles without stopping, said Paul. Let’s see if the cross-country bashers can do that. And if you didn’t know it there are plenty of people around school who are enthusiastic about the sport.

“The guy’s cross- country team is awesome,” said junior Joanna Mead. 

Senior Adam Coleman said, “I was dancing around,” after he beat his personal record at the YV meet. Over the summer Coleman ran 70-80 miles a week.

Vigorous practices consist of three-mile repeats, where the boys run a mile, rest for three minutes and then do that two times more. 

The average time was 4:49 for the first mile, 4:54 for the second and five flat for the third mile. 

The boys are 5-2 and won the Contra Loma Invitational. And the girl’s record is 4-3.