Stillwater Ponies Cross Country Team Culture

PURPOSE

To develop young women who discover their strength, support their teammates, and carry the life lessons of running far beyond high school.

MISSION STATEMENT

We are the Stillwater Ponies—a sisterhood united by our love of running. We believe that through authentic relationships, consistent effort, and unwavering support for one another, we become not only better runners but better people. Every stride we take together builds character that will sustain us for life.

CULTURAL VALUES: S.T.R.I.D.E.

SUPPORTIVE SISTERHOOD

●      We lift each other up, always

●      Celebrate teammates' victories as our own

●      Encourage during struggles without judgment

●      Create an environment where everyone belongs

●      Build authentic relationships beyond just running

TRANSFORMATIONAL GROWTH

●      We focus on who we're becoming, not just winning

●      Embrace challenges as opportunities to grow stronger

●      Learn from setbacks and help teammates do the same

●      Develop life skills through running experiences

●      Measure success by character development and effort

RELENTLESS COMMITMENT

●      We finish what we start, together

●      Complete every workout with intention and integrity

●      Show up consistently, especially when it's hard

●      Honor our training, recovery, and team responsibilities

●      Follow through on commitments to ourselves and teammates

INSPIRING COMMUNICATION

●      We speak life into each other

●      Share honest thoughts and feelings openly

●      Listen actively and respond with empathy

●      Offer constructive feedback with love

●      Communicate race strategies and support each other tactically

DEDICATED PASSION

●      We choose to love what challenges us

●      Find joy in the journey, not just destinations

●      Embrace the beauty and difficulty of distance running

●      Develop intrinsic motivation that sustains lifelong fitness

●      Share our passion to inspire others

EXCELLENT EFFORT

●      We give our absolute best in all things

●      Pursue excellence in training, academics, and character

●      Take pride in preparation and attention to detail

●      Maintain high standards while supporting those still growing

●      Leave everything on the course, track, and trail

OUR CULTURAL COMMITMENTS

As Stillwater Ponies, we commit to:

IN PRACTICE

●      Arrive prepared and engaged every day

●      Push ourselves while pacing teammates who need support

●      Complete every rep with purpose, including cooldowns and recovery

●      Communicate openly about struggles, fears, and goals

●      Celebrate small victories and learn from difficult days

IN COMPETITION

●      Race with courage, wisdom, and tactical awareness

●      Support teammates through every mile, even when racing individually

●      Represent our school and community with pride and sportsmanship

●      Execute race plans while adapting to help the team succeed

●      Finish strong regardless of placement or time

IN LIFE

●      Apply the discipline of running to academics and relationships

●      Serve our school and community beyond the team

●      Make decisions that honor our commitment to growth

●      Support younger runners and share what we've learned

●      Carry the Pony spirit with us wherever life takes us

OUR TEAM COVENANT

"We are more than teammates—we are sisters who have chosen to pursue something difficult and beautiful together. We will show up for each other in training, racing, and life. We will speak truth in love, celebrate authentically, and never let a teammate struggle alone. We will finish what we start and leave this program stronger than we found it, carrying these values into everything we do."

LIVING S.T.R.I.D.E. DAILY

Every practice begins with the question:

"How can I S.T.R.I.D.E. forward today in a way that helps my teammates do the same?"

Every race ends with reflection:

"How did our S.T.R.I.D.E. show up when it mattered most?"

Every season builds toward:

"What will sustain me long after I hang up my spikes?"

The strength of the pack is the pony, and the strength of the pony is the pack.

WE ARE STILLWATER. WE ARE PONIES. WE S.T.R.I.D.E. TOGETHER.