Sunnyslope Boys and Girls Cross Country raced in the Arizona AIA Cross Country State Championships on Saturday November 15, with Sophomore Hans Kugler, Junior Eva Jacobs, and Senior Sergio Samperio finishing in the top 30 of their division at Cave Creek Golf Course according to Head Coach Jason Coury.
Sunnyslope Boys Cross Country finished 9th overall with Kugler in 17th and Samperio in 29th.
Girls Cross Country finished in the top 20 overall with Jacobs placing 22nd.
Preparation for this race, as Cross Country Coach Jason Coury explained, was “miles with smiles.”
Runners were encouraged to run hard and have fun.
In order to succeed, a strong team bond is required and Sunnyslope’s team had just that.
“When something has come up, the team has helped that person to recover whether that be by getting them water after a race or helping them get up when they need a lift,” said Kugler.
Throughout the season, the team grew to rely on each other in order for improvement.
“Athletes were able to discover how they respond in racing situations and how much they depend on each other,” said Coury.
Senior Noah Hernandez also noted the development of the team throughout the season.
Hernandez mentioned that the team had grown closer since the first day of practice, which translates into working hard together.
In a high impact sport, it is hard for runners to stay completely healthy—whether it be sickness or injury.
However, the team prevailed through the challenges with precautions.
“We have done our best to prevent these by fueling our bodies correctly with the right nutrition, stretching, and not overworking so as to cause stress fractures,” said Kugler.
While obstacles still occur, they are not season-defining.
Coury noted that “[Each runner’s] identity is not wrapped up in one single performance or in any performance.”
But at the end of the day, Cross Country pushed through the tribulations.
In the words of Hernandez, “Our mentality is that we have to make the most with what you are given on each day. Sometimes you may have to race sick or down a few guys, but we each have the mentality that we still have to do our best,” said Hernandez.