By: Rohini Gopal
Ursuline Academy
Texas Metro News
Summer vacation may have begun, but the Ursuline cross country team has no offseason. While others fly to the beach or the international attractions, the cross-country bears are heading to the parks and trails, putting in the miles that will prepare them for the races ahead.
Varsity head coach Rachel Voorhees and assistant cross country coach and senior grade dean Andrea Pujol play a large role in the Bears success.
The upcoming season is long but worth it, as the seniors prepare for their final year in the program, the juniors step into leadership roles such as team captain, the sophomores build on last season’s experience, and the freshman begin their high school journey.
Throughout the summer, the girls have three practices a week in June, increasing to four practices a week in July, and in August, the training is increased to five days a week.
These practices might seem intimidating at first, but once you start showing up consistently, you’ll get used to the workouts and become a stronger, more confident runner. The coaching staff has a goal every year of making it to the TAPPS state championships in November and is training the students from early in the season.
I found my interest in cross country when my parents encouraged me and stated that I could meet new people through a sport or an extracurricular club. Because I was the only student from my middle school to attend the Academy, I wanted to be sure that I made a few friends before the first day of classes.
Cross country taught me how to work together as a team and how to build my confidence as a runner. During my freshman year, there was a tradition called Big-Sis, Little Sis.
This tradition is where an upperclassman is paired with an underclassman during the season to give them advice or to coordinate matching outfits.
Cross country is my favorite sport because of the supportive community, and my mood changes after a difficult workout at Norbuck Park or one of the other locations where we practice.
Throughout the season, I have raced two-mile and three-mile races during the blazing heat or the muggy weather of Dallas. When I graduate from Ursuline and toss my white hat in the air, I will remember the intramurals competition and the excitement of the final day when the grade levels win the awards for spirit, mural, video, and volleyball. I will always remember cross country not as a sport, but as a place where long-lasting friendships were built and where I gave it my all.
