They run this town

Their sport is another’s punishment. Their endurance would give the Energizer bunny a run for its money. Their guts make Hercules look sheepish. They’re the Girls Cross Country Team, and this year, they’re a force for other schools to fear.

“They’re one of the strongest teams I’ve ever had,” Head Coach Mr. Dennis Scheele said. And after 25 years of coaching, this statement is saying something.

According to www.indianarunner.com, the girls cross country team currently ranks fourth in the state, trailing behind Lake Central, Valparaiso, and Carmel. However, this ranking is a preseason estimate, subject to change as the season unfolds. By this time next month, the runners might have earned bragging rights to an even higher position.

Scheele maintains a positive, but sensible attitude in response to the team’s anticipated success. He smiled politely as he asserted that the girls certainly have great potential, but he also emphasized the significant difference between “talk and performance.” Rankings and numbers may be comforting, but it all comes down to how the girls perform. To Scheele, this means he must train the team to the best of their abilities, and to the girls, this means much more intense workouts – ranging from five to seven miles of running a day.

“Workouts are definitely harder this year,” senior Anneliese Rupp said.

Rupp has run cross country since middle school, and continues to train with the team every day. When Scheele spoke of his committed runners such as Rupp, he also mentioned senior Sarah Boyum, freshman Kendra Foley, and sophomore Hannah Pimley as just a few outstanding runners improving with every practice. Other runners climbing the ladder this year include freshmen Helen Willman and Rachel Kacer, and seniors Tiffany Cange, Alex Kacer, Jalynne Foley, and Meg Bowles.

“Depth,” Scheele said, “is our advantage this year.”

In order for the team to make it past sectionals, regionals, and semi-state, a solid pack of girls must run well; a couple individual runners cannot carry the whole team to the end. With 31 girls strong and 13 of these seniors, the cross country team is equipped to do the job – and do it well.

Thirty-one girls may run on the team, but only seven run varsity. According to Scheele, this is one of the reasons why the program is so strong.

“I respect those who run not to win, but for other reasons,” he said.

Some girls have run cross country since middle school; others have joined during high school, but they all make Scheele’s job rewarding. The girls’ dedication and work has brought the team to where it is today.

“I’ve run cross country for seven years, mainly to keep in shape,” senior Jenni Studt said. “All my friends are on the team, too. It’s nice to spend just a couple hours with them every day.”

Of course, these girls may have to run like for extended periods of time to get to a competitive level, but they enjoy it – why else would they come back year after year?

“I like running,” Rupp said, “even if some days are harder than others.”

Scheele also commented about the strong camaraderie evident within the team. Training begins in June, and the season ends in late October, offering plenty of time for the team to sweat, laugh, and complain together. The team also travels to McCormick’s Creek over the summer to camp for about four days; the girls bond while running, playing euchre, and freaking out about an excessive number of daddy longlegs.

Exceptional runners, team depth, a strong, positive program, and a steadfast coach: the ingredients for a cross country team ready to take on the state. The upcoming season will surely be a ride.