This season’s cross-country team is off to a great start after a summer full of intense workouts. Practices were offered throughout June and July to help runners get a head start on the new season. The athletes focused on improving running form, building core strength, and tackling challenging hills. The runners showed promising results after the first time trial in July.
Over the summer, runners also had the opportunity to attend the Alta Sierra running camp to further improve their skills. A total of 25 boys and 8 girls attended the camp, and according to the coaches, all participants made significant progress and set the stage for an excellent season.
“I remember going into the first practice of the summer feeling so intimidated,” said new freshman runner Alexis Zwierchowski.
Zwierzchowski also attended summer practices and camp.
“The summer practices have benefitted me overall, but I think that going to the Alta Sierra Running Camp for six days has boosted my stamina and mile time the most,” said Zwierchoswski.
Coaches Ephraim Washburn and Germain Ortiz are working toward another successful and impressive season.
“I hope that both the girls and boys teams will compete for the Mojave River League championship and work towards qualifying for the California state cross country meet,” said Washburn.
Coach Germain Ortiz is proud of the cross-country team’s accomplishments, especially since they are new coaches. The team has great potential for the upcoming season. The program hopes to repeat and improve its achievements from the 2022 season.
Last year, the boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams made great progress and worked their way to state championships.
“For being a small school, Burroughs High School made history last year by going to states for the first time after 22 years. This year the Boy’s team is working really hard to repeat that again this year,” said Ortiz.
He also claims that the girl’s team is building up strength and speed to hold their title of Mojave River League Champions this year and to get in the Top Ten at CIF.
“This season is going to be challenging competitive-wise, but if we do the “little things” right, we should not have a problem making it far in the season,” said Ortiz. Hopefully, the team will qualify for state and beat their records from previous years.
The runners are showing tremendous potential, making the dream of becoming state champions a realistic possibility. Keep up the great work, team!
