Here at the school, fall sports are very popular. One in particular has gathered many student personnel and now has a very large team. This sport is cross country. The sport has grasped the attention of seniors and freshmen alike and has attracted people from all over Arlington County due to its popularity.
The large cross country team posed a question to the journalism department this year: Exactly why is this sport so popular? John Bacon, the head coach of track at the school explained that when he was in school, he enjoyed running and cross country, but it was not as popular as it is today. When asked about physical and social aspects of the sport, Bacon replied with many things that he thinks contribute to the popularity.
“I think it’s a good way to develop teamwork and discipline, and it helps kids organize their time,” Bacon said “And then I think of course, physically, it keeps kids fit. And I think that when they’re fit, their minds are a little bit sharper.”
Bacon also said that joining the sport helps freshmen, who are new to the school, get to know people before the year starts.
Bacon also said that joining the sport helps freshmen, who are new to the school, get to know people before the year starts.
“I think a lot of the freshmen who start cross country, [have a] big advantage,” Bacon said “By the time they get to the first day of school, they already know a bunch of kids because they’ve been practicing with kids of all ages.”
When speaking to freshman Finn Sporer, he said that compared to his middle school track experience, high school cross country has been much more challenging. It affects his ability to get schoolwork done. However, he also thinks that there are many reasons it is popular and he has made many new friends from the team.
“A lot of people have interest in becoming more fit and athletic and this is also good training for
other sports,” said Sporer. Students training for sports that include good amounts of running use cross country to get in shape and prepare. Senior Mina Dowler had originally planned to join the cross country team to prepare and get in shape for soccer season. However, by the end of the season, Dowler had found a new passion in the team.
other sports,” said Sporer. Students training for sports that include good amounts of running use cross country to get in shape and prepare. Senior Mina Dowler had originally planned to join the cross country team to prepare and get in shape for soccer season. However, by the end of the season, Dowler had found a new passion in the team.
“Originally, I wanted to [join] the soccer team, so I joined cross country to stay in shape for soccer, but I actually ended up enjoying it a lot more,” Dowler said “So I quit soccer and now I do track and cross country.”
Dowler attends HB Woodlawn, but has been doing cross country for the school throughout all four years of high school. While the journey between schools can be challenging, she enjoys the sport and has many positive memories from being on the team. Dowler explained that she enjoys the environment of the sport because the school has a great team with little drama and
excellent coaches. While she says that it gives her a little less time to do school work, Dowler thinks that it is also a good way to get a break and stay active.
excellent coaches. While she says that it gives her a little less time to do school work, Dowler thinks that it is also a good way to get a break and stay active.
“It’s one of the only fall sports that’s no cut and CO Ed, but also I feel like there’s a wide range of abilities,” Dowler explained.
All in all, the many positive physical and social aspects of the sport contribute largely to the immense student participation and make the sport very popular to all grade levels. Cross country is a good chance to stay active and for freshmen to make new friends when new to the school.
“We have a lot of hard working kids who want to be a part of the school community and one way of doing that is participating in sports.” Coach Bacon said. “And the friendships [kids] develop through cross country could be life long.” prepare and get in shape for soccer season. However, by the end of the season, Dowler had found a new passion in the team.
