Six Raiders run cross country
With a larger roster, new runners and experienced returners, the cross-country team is entering the season with high expectations.
For sophomore Clayton Steinbach and freshmen Ben Popken and Ainsley Carlson, joining cross country has meant adjusting to longer distances, tougher workouts and a completely new team environment.
Steinbach was encouraged to join by his friend Caleb Popken, a junior, after seeing the success of cross-country runners in track.
“I was kind of looking toward cross country because of my friend Caleb Popken,” Steinbach said. “I’m most excited for state cross country and all the memories that I’ll make with the new people I meet.”
The biggest adjustment for Steinbach has been the mileage and terrain.
“Mainly just the running workouts and the different types of areas,” Steinbach said. “In track, you practice all on flat land, but for cross country, we run uphills, downhills, sprint up hills. It’s a whole bunch of hill work.”
Ben Popken, Caleb’s brother, was also encouraged to join by his brother and was drawn to the team environment.
“My brother told me a lot about it,” Ben said. “The coach also drew me; he is a great coach, and I heard very funny stories and great things about him.”
Ben said the team has been better than he expected, especially because of the balance between hard work and having fun.
“Everyone’s very kind, and everyone’s really nice,” Ben said. “It’s a very strong discipline, but there’s still leeway to have fun.”
Carlson's decision to run cross country came from her success in the mile.
“I actually figured out in seventh grade that I’m pretty good at the mile, so I assumed that I would be pretty good at cross country, too,” Carlson said.
Although Carlson admits she is “not a huge fan of running,” she has set ambitious goals for her first season. She hopes to run a 21-minute 5K and her mile under six minutes.
“I just want to do well,” Carlson said.
The new runners have also quickly become part of a team that emphasizes support and encouragement. Carlson said she was surprised by how welcoming everyone was.
“They are all really funny,” Carlson said. “It’s just a great team.”
Returning runners bring experience and leadership into the season. Junior Finn Griffith, who competed on varsity last year, has hopes for this season.
“I want my individual goal to break 19 minutes at some races,” Griffith said. “As a team, with the group we have, I hope we can get a couple plaques at some races.”
Griffith said the addition of Steinbach and Ben has made the team stronger.
“They’re both great runners and will contribute a lot to how we score and how the team does overall,” Griffith said.
Caleb Popken also sees the team’s new runners as a major strength. As one of the older runners, he knows he has a responsibility to help set an example for younger teammates.
“I believe I’m already kind of in a leadership role,” Popken said. “There’s a bunch of younger kids looking up to us. So, I have to be an example.”
Rather than having one person lead the entire team, Popken believes leadership comes from everyone.
“It is very much everybody,” Popken said. “It’s a very big group effort amongst the upperclassmen.”
The team’s chemistry has been a major positive so far.
“We all can joke around with each other, and no one takes it seriously,” Griffith said. “But when we practice, everyone’s there for each other and always cheers them on.”
Sophomore Lauren Blomendahl has noticed the same atmosphere while returning for another season. With more girls on the roster than last year, it has become apparent that, for varsity spots, there will be a lot of competition, but she said that has not changed the team’s attitude.
“We kind of have to fight more for the varsity spot, but even if I’m JV, it’s fine,” Blomendahl said. “Everyone is just really supportive of each other.”
The girls also have a major team goal: qualifying for state.
“Coach really wants us to send our girls team to state,” Blomendahl said. “We kind of have a chance at that, but we’ll just have to see how the season goes and how everyone does.”
Coach Joe Carrillo says that the chances of qualifying the girls for state is in the near future.
The boys are also hoping their increased depth can help them compete for plaques throughout the season.
Popken said he believes the team’s motivation and willingness to encourage each other could make a difference.
“I say motivation, drive,” Popken said. “Lately, the team has been really motivated and cheering each other on and trying to help us get through some of the hard workouts we do.”
The season will not come without challenges. The runners will face difficult hills, longer races, and the mental challenge of pushing through when their bodies are tired.
For Popken, breaking through that mental barrier is one of his biggest individual goals.
“I want to push myself hard,” Popken said. “I want to push myself to the point where I’m giving everything I can.”
The runners are also looking forward to different courses throughout the season. Griffith is excited for Pender, where he ran under 20 minutes last year, while Popken is looking forward to the relaxed atmosphere of the Pender golf-course setting.
Steinbach, meanwhile, is looking forward to East Butler because of the challenge.
“I’m really looking forward to East Butler, because that’s the one that they say is the hardest,” Steinbach said.
For the newer runners, the season will be about learning what it takes to compete at the high school level. For the returning runners, it will be about using their experience to help the team reach the next level.
Griffith’s advice to the newcomers is to stay patient and keep working.
“The results might not show now, but if you keep up or push yourself, you’ll eventually find what it takes or see the results that you want,” Griffith said. “And don’t compare yourself to the other runners, too.”
As the season gets underway, the cross-country team will rely on its combination of experience, new talent, determination and team chemistry. Whether the goal is a personal record, a varsity spot, a plaque or a trip to state, the runners are ready to push each other through every mile.
For both Steinbach and Ben, one word from their coach captures the mindset they hope to carry into every race: “Ganas,” meaning guts.
“Ganas is what I think is gonna get me through the races,” Steinbach said.
For a team built around pushing one another, that mindset may be exactly what they need to make this season one to remember.
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