Getting to state competitions is something that every athlete strives for, and for the Boys Cross Country team, they are able to see all their hard work pay off this Saturday at the 80th annual IHSAA State Finals. The last time the team made it to state was back in 2021, where they fell to Brebeuf and finished in second place. Now, they are coming back – stronger than ever – and determined to come out on top. The boys have been training all season to prepare for this meet, but over the last week, they have adjusted their practice styles to adapt to this upcoming race.
Their training consists of practice and lots of running, but that is not the only thing they focus on leading up to race day. Athletes are making sure that they are eating well to fuel their bodies and getting a good nights rest days before. Another aspect that comes along with making sure their bodies are taken care of is treating injuries or problems from their previous races. Runners commonly get leg pains and ankle sores that they have to treat before their next upcoming races.
“To prepare in this week leading up to state I’m making sure that I’m eating well every night and getting enough sleep, as well as really focusing on recovery,” Cross Country Runner Will Henning said.
Pre-race rituals is something that most runners tend to have that eases their nerves before a meet. Whether this is a food that they eat each morning or certain clothes that they wear, these small routines help them find comfort and focus before stepping to the starting line. Many of the boys have their own unique habits, but all serve the same purpose: to calm their minds and get them in the right headspace before the biggest race of the season.
Henning shares his own pre-race ritual, “Pretzel chips for fuel leading up to race and the same prayer on the line before the gun every time,”
During regular season meets, the Cross Country team will often compete against many of the same schools, giving them a sense of familiarity. This allows the team to focus more on what to expect with the course and who they can expect to be racing against. At the State Finals, however, they will race against individuals representing nearly 50 different schools, making it harder to prepare for their competition.
“The Stakes are higher but ultimately it’s just another 5k,” Henning said. “I don’t usually stress any more over certain meets, but I’m certainly more excited to get the opportunity to race at state.”
