As a runner, it can be hard to have motivation to finish a race. It requires stamina, grit and determination. These are the tools the boys’ cross country team has lived by this season.

The team is led by junior Randall Kinner who is coming off of an 8th place finish at the Clear Creek Amana meet held at Iowa City Kickers complex on September 28. 

For Kinner, a key component for him during a race is knowing the course.

“During races I stay focused by controlling my breathing,” Kinner said. “I also use quick decision making to decide how I need to adjust my pace to the course to run the fastest I can.”

As the team approaches the state qualifying meet, Kinner is determined to decrease his time and hopefully qualify as an individual and as a team. 

“Preparing for the state qualifying meet, I am focusing a lot on my mental stamina to be able to hold my place during the race,” Kinner said. “My goal is to run under 17:30 and hopefully qualify for state. My goal for the team this year is to make the most of the season and not take any practice or meet for granted. We can achieve this by running consistent times and getting faster every meet.”

A big motivator for the team is their theme: “Why not us?” Coach Nathan Hopp has kept this as a tradition for many years.

“The first time I used this mantra was back in 2011 after a meet we had in Cascade that didn’t go so well,” Hopp said. “I brought it back in 2016 under a similar pretense. We had a team meeting and I told them that they are capable of the successes that other teams were having that season. It has stuck around as a reminder to the guys that when they come to practice and put in the effort and work necessary to be successful, they too can compete to their fullest and compete with anyone or any team on any given meet day.” 

Hopp said this is something this year’s team has lived by and it has helped them bond.

“What makes this team special is that despite the small number of boys on the team, we have a group of individuals that get along well with one another and push each other to be their best day in and day out,” Hopp said. “All grades mesh well together and at the end of the day, each member on the team knows they matter to the success of our team. As a coach, I try to emphasize our team being like a family, in that we may not always see eye-to-eye on everything but we’re there for one another when it matters most.” 

This mantra will be something that will stick with Kinner and the team for years to come to help them with anything life throws their way.

The team will compete in their next meet at Oak Ridge Middle School on Saturday, October 10, starting at 10:00 a.m.