After last year’s season of low participant numbers, the cross country team has grown by 25 athletes.

“We needed to rebuild the program and get our numbers up,” Coach Cinda Baer said. “They bring new energy to the table. The more kids, the better.”

She recruits every year.

“We have to have a lot of kids in order to have a successful program,” Baer said. “I would be happier if we could drive two buses to the meets.”

Returning senior Jayln Powell said adding more members is a positive.

“Last year we had a lot of familiar faces and talent, this year we have bunch of newcomers and unknown talent,” she said. “I feel like when we have more runners it gives the team more chances to get points.”

Baer, who also teaches PE, said she always looks out for new talent since she is in the gym every day.

“Most kids have never heard of it and don’t know a thing about it,” she said. “If I can just get them to one practice, one meet, they are usually hooked.”

The increase in numbers is noticeable.

“We have tons more people than last year,” sophomore Zoi Feagins said.

Despite the increase in numbers, Baer doesn’t take full credit.

“I’m not the only one who gets kids to come out,” she said. “A lot of the responsibility is on the runners.”

The team often encourages each other.

“It takes a lot of grit and determination to do what the runners do, so they develop a bond among each other,” Baer said.

The coach said the team is like a family.

“The kids help each other during workouts and encourage each other,” she said. “They also get a lot of support when they are studying and working on passing their classes.”

One new runner said there are many perks to being on the team.

Junior Ricardo Navarro said, “I like cross country because it gives me a new experience, it keeps me in shape, and, most of all, I get to miss school.”