In It For the Long Run

In+It+For+the+Long+Run

Kendall Gill, Writer

Coming close to the championship rounds of the cross country season, the athletes on the Oakdale Boys Cross Country team have proved to be a force. Looking back at their statistics this season, it is clear that the team is ripe with fresh talent and new potential for the upcoming meets and seasons to come.

As a team comprised primarily of underclassmen, Oakdale has been finishing consistently well in each meet against every new competitor.  When talking to members of the team as well as the coaching staff, there is a swelling feeling of excitement and optimism.

Going into each meet, the team states that their preparations are relatively simple and routine. Teammates go on to outline their schedules on the day of a meet; the boys start with a thorough warm up, a jog of the 3.1 mile course, and of course plenty of individual time for each runner to prepare on his own.

Preparing for the Crossfire Invite on Tuesday, October 3rd, Coach David Lillard credits the team’s success to the efforts of the underclassmen, saying “For a team with no seniors, the team is doing awesome. We have a Sophomore ranked top 5 in the county and state, and definitely some Juniors ranking high as well. The underclassmen are doing great, they’re really stepping up.”

One of the underclassmen stepping up this season is Oakdale Junior Collin Shriner. Finishing consistently high in the rankings, Shriner has shown that he is definitely an asset to Oakdale, assisting the team with a 4th place victory at the Crossfire Invite.

When asked about how he felt about his team, the season so far, and the future of the team, Shriner expressed: “I’m pretty optimistic. We have great runners in the front who I think are going to do well, and we have a really strong group of underclassmen.”  

Coming into the close of their season, expectations are high for the Bears as they become a team to watch. Make sure to wish the Oakdale Bears Cross Country Team luck this week as they go on to compete in the Frederick County Championship meet on Thursday, October, 26th!