The Commerce High School cross country team concluded its season at the Region 8-A meet with average times, perhaps, but extraordinary experience, seniors on the team said.
Chase Klugh led the team, running consistently throughout the season and leading the Tigers last week at the Athens Christian meet. His time of 22 minutes, 55 seconds outpaced teammate Johnny McAbee, who came in second on his team (22:53).
Each of the five graduating runners referenced skills they learned through the sport over the years. Endurance, stamina and toughness were among the lessons learned, they said.
“Someone had told me it is fun, but I didn’t believe it,” said Geri Orozco, whose first season last year ended early because of injury. “After seeing everyone else run, I got motivated. I wanted to come back and see if I could do it. I did. It was motivational. I ended up liking it, pushed myself.”
Others, including Klugh and Thomas Sweeney, pictured long-distance running as a way to achieve a better fitness level for other sports. Instead, they learned about the fun and focus possible when a team rallies around a sport geared manly for individual development.
“Wrestling helps me, keeps me focused, keeps me disciplined,” Sweeney said, adding his running will help him with his goal of an Army career
Added Klugh: “Because of Coach Hale, I liked it a lot more and got a lot more out of it than I really thought I would. We have a lot of fun with what we do.”
Hale congratulated his team for its effort this season, mentioning the seniors as well as a junior class filled with potential.
“Justin Langston, Johnny McAbee, and Nick Henderson all had solid years and will be returning next year. They are all juniors. I will be expecting a lot out of them next year,” Hale said. “Jake Schramm had a good freshman year, so I will be expecting him to be a leader next year as well.”
Additionally, Hale expects junior and first-year runner Steffy Montes to return next year with additional experience that will fuel her drive in competition.
“I really enjoyed coaching all the seniors,” Hale added. “They were a very fun group to be around.”
Seniors Jonathan Leffew and Zan Peek, who ran every season in high school, stressed the bond that’s formed when like-minded runners pursue the same goal.
“Endurance, not only physically but mentally, you have to keep yourself occupied while you’re running,” Leffew said.
Added Peek: “One of the best experiences was hanging out with all the team members, forming a bond with them and learning to push yourselves even when you think you want to quit. If I can push myself to run 3.1 miles as fast as I can I can do anything.”
Commerce High’s cross country results for the Region 8-A meet are: Chase Klugh, 22:55; Nick Henderson, 23:43; Johnny McAbee, 22:58; Jake Schramm, 23:55; Justin Langston, 23:29; Zan Peek, 25:44; Thomas Sweeney, 26:45; Anthony Drake, 24:50; Jonathan Leffew, 27:16; Geri Orozco, 28:30; Steffy Montes, 33:32.
