An insight into team dynamic of Timber Creek’s cross-country team
By MaryJane Grimison
If you were to ask any regular, (maybe non-athletic), person to run 4 miles at any given time, they would probably laugh in your face. If you were to ask just about any person on Timber Creek’s cross country team, though, they would do it with ease, and probably throw in that that’s their mileage on an easy day.
Timber Creek’s 2019 cross country season has finally wrapped up, with both girls and boys varsity teams making it to states. After a grueling season of hard work and dedication from all the athletes, the successes were hard-earned and well deserved. But today will not be focused on the many successes of the cross country team – instead, it will be focused on the team aspect as a whole.
Some say that cross-country is more of a family than a team. Sophomore, Vivian Brynes, she had this to say about her experience on the team: “I’ve been on the team for two years since I was a freshman. It’s really challenging, but I enjoy the challenge and my team makes it a really fun time.”
Another sophomore, Amber Schulz, said this: “The past two years on our team has grown from just a group of girls to a family. We have each other’s back no matter what and support each other through every practice and every mile werun! This year has been a game-changer and our team is getting stronger. Last year going to State by myself was nothing compared to this year going with both the girls and boys team. We are always there to cheer each other on and give sweaty hugs at the finish line. We are not a team but a family that will last forever.”
This team mentality is what makes the cross country team at Timber Creek so special – while there is, of course, a competitive nature (as there is on any sports team), there is a sense of support among all the members. No matter if you are a complete newbie or an experienced varsity senior, everyone is rooting for each other.
Cross country is a sport where the biggest person to beat is usually yourself – your own time,your own records, your own mentality; this makes it crucial for a supportive team dynamic around you in order to make it easier to defeat these problems within yourself.
This rings true especially in situations of injury – having a supportive team that is as supportive of you when you may not be in your best state is equally as important as having a team who supports you at your prime.
In a sport as competitive as cross country, having an injury puts any plans that you had for yourseason on a complete hold. It is easy to become discouraged at this time, but athletes persevere.One example of this is Junior Sierra Orie, who was injury-stricken this season. When asked how she would describe her experience with cross country this season, she had this to say: “My experience this year wasn’t as great as last year, because I was injured and only got to runin two meets. It was still really fun to cheer on, and support my team through the season, though!”
This sort of good-sportsmanship mentality that Orie showcases is extremely crucial for the success of the team as a whole. This mentality is one that the whole team possesses, which makes for a great team dynamic.
When speaking to the girls’ team captain, Junior Daria Cuellar, she had this to say about the team’s dynamic overall: “We are definitely very involved with each other. We’re all really close and basically one big family. There are no cliques or anything, and everyone really cares for each other.”
Overall, the hard work and dedication of Timber Creek’s cross country team is not the only factor that played a part in their immensely successful 2019 season – while it was a large one. The positive team dynamic and amazing moral through all of the team heavily made the season as successful and positive as it was. Because the team that surrounds you is just as important as how well you do in a season.
Just the girls + 1. Some ladies of the XC team (plus senior Izaiah Burgos) pose for a group picture after competing at the Viera Classic – one being sophomore Amber Schulz, the winner of the girls’ varsity race. Photo donated.