Teaming with the twins

At the beginning of the school year, many students choose a team to be on. This time of year cross country is a team a lot of students prefer to join. Some teams cause teammates to need to work together while others have us work individually then come together and compete as a team.

For Sophia Whitworth, senior, and her sister Paloma Whitworth, also a senior, have been doing cross country for their entire high school year. Every year they have been minutes apart from each other when crossing the finish line. They work as a team to be able to conquer this in any race.

Some athletes prefer to call cross country an individual sport, but for both Sophia and Paloma cross country is a team sport. “Cross country is a team sport because you're relying on your other teammates in a race and for them to support us,” stated Paloma. Sofia explained, “Cross country is a team sport because we all rely on everyone’s support, regardless of where we finish.”

In cross country, the team races against time. Each runner tries every race to top their old times. Sophia and Paloma both stated, “everyone really matters in cross country because whether you are first or last, you can displace other teams.” So, in cross country time only really matters to you. More importantly the faster you run the lower your team's score will be.

Many students may think that cross country has four teams (girls varsity, boys varsity, girls jv, boys jv) and some may think that cross country is only one team. For Sophia and Paloma, they both believe that cross country is a single team that is divided into four groups. Sophia states that “I think if feels like one team. At the end of the day, we all complete the same workouts and courses. We do it together.” Paloma also states that “I believe cross country is one big team because you're competing together.”

In cross country the teams will race by what gender you are but the athletes all practice together. Sophia explained, “ It really creates a really supportive dynamic on the courses. I think we all know each other well by the end of the season.” During the races the team is lined throughout the course  ready to cheer on their team.

In cross country the athletes are known to push themselves to the limit. Paloma states, “Everyone is hurting at the end of the races. It's also the same for practices.” Cross country pushes the athletes mentally to be able to convince themselves to push through the pain. Sophia stated, “I think cross country is both a mental and physical challenge and keeping a positive attitude through the pain is both challenging and rewarding.

As a team each individual athlete must be able to put in as much effort as the other athletes. The athletes are always looking out for each other and giving each other support. Sophia state's “Cross country challenges everyone to achieve their personal best, regardless of what that means. Its struggles definitely makes it rewarding.” Paloma explains, “You need a positive attitude and the support from the rest of the team. You also need to try your hardest.”

A team is like a family but in a very competitive away. The team celebrates together and cries together. They suffer the pain and creates a close relationship between the teammates and the coaches.