CIF Cross Country

On November 27th, the girls varsity cross country team raced in the CIF finals. After pushing themselves all season, they left with an impressive 6th place overall finish. Cross country takes a large amount of time and dedication, and it certainly isn't easy. Lets check out the process and progression these girls have been taking all season long.

Kyra Compton, a senior varsity runner, shares how she and her teammates prepared for the CIF State Finals. "CIF was something talked about as early as mid-June. The team and I prepare by building our mileage over the summer, and we usually peak around 55 miles per week. We aim to win CIF, and goal-setting plays a huge role in our efforts both individually and as a team. We treat CIF as one of our most important races, second only to the state championships the following weekend in Clovis," said Compton. In the CIF Sectional, she finished in an outstanding 2nd place, and then followed that by finishing 12th place in the state finals.

Along with preparing physically for the big day, junior varsity runner Sophia Biesinger also thinks preparing and prepping mentally makes a large difference for stressful races.

"Our team really has been preparing for CIF since our first practice. Although being physically fast and strong is essential to running, a huge part of running that people don't always account for is the mental side of it; so our coach ensured that we were mentally prepared to face all of our races with the best possible outlook," said Biesinger.

And of course, a large part of going into a race is making sure you have a goal and a plan. When you have an idea of what you want to accomplish, it's more likely you are going to achieve your goal.

"My goal was to win CIF and beat the Cathedral Catholic girls. I planned to run for place, rather than for time, and ran this race strategically to ensure I was in a position to win. I was able to beat every Cathedral Catholic runner, which was a positive for me. it was a good race for me and many of my teammates. All things considered, we finished our season on a high note," said Compton.

Every runner finds a way to stay positive and determined in their own way. For some, running itself is enough to make them keep going, others remind themselves of their goals, and progress they want to accomplish.

"To be honest, everyone assumes that running is horrible and so difficult and just pure pain....but its also the best team dynamic I think you'll ever find, and there is no better feeling than coming down sophomore hill after a steady run as the sun's setting and you fly down the hill and the air is cool and you feel like your on top of the world. So its actually easy for me to stay determined and positive throughout the season, I actually find it difficult to be positive and determined once the season ends," said Biesinger.

Kyra looks at it in a more constrictive way, and reminds herself that running is more than an individual sport, because how you run impacts the teams score. It helps her stay positive when she knows she can positively effect the team.

"To stay positive and determined throughout the 6 month cross country training block, I write down my goals and keep myself accountable for the success of not just myself, but also the team. I try to remember that I am working towards something bigger than myself, and my contributions will help the team achieve its goals. Much of my motivation comes from the sport itself and the progress I see throughout each season. Hard work is rewarding, especially as a runner; seeing my times drop is a great source of motivation. The quality of a race reflects the quality of the training, so I prioritize proper training just as much as giving it my all out on the racecourse in order to better myself as an athlete," said Compton.

Most runners can agree that the best part about running is the team, and the community. Having a positive outlet and environment can have a amazing impact on athletes mental, and physical health.

"My favorite part of cross country is being surrounded by the running community. Running was always there for me in the background, but never took center stage until eighth grade. By the end of middle school, I had taken over a minute off of my time and held the new middle school mile record. From there, things took off. I quit soccer and found a place quickly in the running community, where a mutual struggle for peak human performance united a band of sweaty, sun-kissed, split-short-clad athletes. In cross country, I found camaraderie unlike any other sport: just as Olympian Emma Coburn is a runner, I am a runner, and so is the neighborhood hobby jogger. We are all tied together, enmeshed in a common love for the grind, the exhilaration, and the simple joy of getting outside and running, whether it be for the purpose of setting new records or simply seeing new trails. It’s like a secret society in many ways. Regardless of body type, fitness, age, or gender, if you run, you are a runner. And I love that," said Compton.

Sophia also agrees, and thinks the people she has met along the way is the most valuable thing she has earned this season.

"I think that my favorite part about cross country is the team Dynamic. It's like having built-in friends and they are the best people I think I've ever met with the characteristics I strive to attain. All the kids on that team I believe to be my best friends, I know they've got my back and I've got theirs," said Biesinger.

Many great memories were made this season, whether that be goofing off with their teammates, or having the thrill of a team victory.

"On Monday practices, we would warm up at 5:30 in the morning. we usually have themes every morning practice, one day was "dress up like Coach Vice day" another was "sunglasses day" and "neon colors day. That keeps it light, but the most memorable moment for me this season was leading the team to a win at the Temecula Twilight Invitational, where we were initially ranked as underdogs. I took 2nd place overall and had a great time racing under the lights on a flat, fast course. We received a trophy and backpacks, but the best part was getting to share this success with my team," said Biesinger and Compton.

What happens next now that cross country season is over? They start practicing for track! Being most of the girls team are seniors, some have exciting plans in the running world after they graduate.

"I’m looking forward to working with this team and our new coach during the spring track season. Our goal is to have our top five runners break 5 minutes in the mile, and our training suggests that we are on target to achieve this goal! I am also looking forward to continuing my running career at the University of Pennsylvania, where I will be running division 1 cross country and track in the Ivy League," said Compton.

Overall, La Costa Canyon's Cross Country team had a very successful season, and worked hard to accomplish their goals. They plan to bring the same energy into the 2022 track season.