Soccer players help build the cross country team.
Two teams at Austin have come together as one.
November 05, 2009(Jorge Melendez, Pioneer Staff) — Many runners from last year’s bronze medalist cross country team graduated.
In order to make up for the loss, coaches recruited members from the Austin soccer team.
The soccer team also experienced success at the state level by making it to the elite eight last year. Coaches and runners hope to achieve even more then the previous year. Running has been a passion for the Austin cross-country team. Leading the pack is junior Isaac Spencer.
“I’m proud but not satisfied. The bigger races are still to come.” Spencer said.
Spencer and teammate Ramon Garcia have finished almost every race this season in first and second place.
Senior Juan Mata joined the cross-country team after soccer coach and cross-country assistant coach Manny Rodriguez asked him to run on the team.
“I run cross-country for conditioning.” Mata said.
Soccer and cross-country are similar because they both require a lot of endurance. “They are great runners. I think it is great for us and them, it benefits both.” Spencer said.
“In soccer when I play forward I run a lot. Running cross-country will help me during 90 minutes games.” Ervin Esparza said.
Every runner on the cross-county team acts different on the day of the race. It is the time where the runner forgets about everything and puts all their focus on the race.
“I was nervous at first, but as soon as the race starts I start to calm down and everything goes back to normal with the support of my coach.” Mata said.
On race day coaches prefer that runners eat light and healthy food that won’t provoke stomachaches and vomiting.
“I eat pancakes before a race because it’s the only meal that make me fell better.” Mata said.
Coaches say it is important that each runner eats and drink a lot of water before a race so they won’t faint.
“I eat bread with peanut butter and milk so I wont feel full and run better.” Esparza said.
The next meet for the cross country team will be in San Elizario Followed by the District meet on October 31.
