Bobcats XC runners prepare for inaugural season

Clearwater, Ewing and Orchard students will have a new fall sports' option when practice begins Aug. 12.

Cross country will be offered for the Summerland Bobcats, and the squad will compete in class D this season.

Jamie Turpin, an instructor in Clearwater, will lead the team.

The sport is popular across the country.

In 2017, more than 450,000 high school student-athletes participate in the United States alone.

To prepare, Turpin asked athletes to run at least three miles daily, more if they feel like it.

"It is crucial to get up in the morning and run since it's cooler," Turpin said.

Runners also hit the weight room during summer months to build strength for running hills on the courses.

Conditioning began Aug. 5 and on Aug. 12, the team will hold its first practice of the season.

Turpin anticipates have eight to 10 girls and boys will start the season.

She said, "I am hoping for close to 15 total kids."

Clearwater brothers Eli and Alex Thiele will join the cross country team this fall and havebeen training throughout the summer.

How does one train for the standard 5K race?

First, the Thiele boys attended a Fellowship of Christian Athletes cross country camp in Kearney, where they were taught good running form and technique.

Eli finds workouts online to follow, while Alex goes for runs often and doesn't drink pop.

What made them want to do cross country?

Eli answered, "I'm doing xc because I can run long distance well in track and I think I can be successful."

Alex replied, "I wanted to do xc because I think I have a chance to be decent at it and achieve some good goals in the future."

Running along a course has its perks.

Alex says, "I'm good at it, and it helps relieve stress."

Eli agreed, adding, "It's fun to be good at something, I like to compete because I like how excited my dad gets to come watch me."

Turpin expects a lot of learning experiences in the first season.

"I anticipate that we can have a pretty strong team," Turpin said.