Runners start workouts
By Sam Waller
The Albany cross country program officially began workouts with more than a half dozen runners taking part Monday, July 31.
“We had a really good first morning,” coach Donnie Hart said. “We had six girls who are going to compete in meets and a couple more who are doing workouts to determine how that’s going to fit in with other sports.”
Those expected to be on the team are seniors Callan Edgar, Makki Hart, and Sidney Russell, junior Avery Everitt, and freshmen Ashlyn Miller and Zayne Lefevre. The group began training with a 30-minute run.
“We ran it at a pretty high pace, tried to get it all under an eight-minute mile,” Donnie Hart said. “Obviously, for a first workout, that was pretty intense. We did some stride work after that to stretch things out.”
The coach said he expects junior Jonathan Coody, a two-time regional qualifier, and sophomore Landon Picquet to join the training in the coming week.
“This is earlier than workouts have normally started,” Hart said. “People didn’t have appropriate time during the summer to plan vacations. We have a couple of guys out of town this week, but they’ll get with us as soon as they get back.”
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, morning workouts are being followed by weight and flexibility training.
“The way it worked out with the number of multisport athletes we have, we only have three girls who are pure cross country.” Hart said.. “We’re taking that core workout and doubling up with the morning workout. That way, our girls who are competing in volleyball can focus on that.”
Hart said the plan is to revamp the overall strength and conditioning program for girls athletics.
“We want to unite everyone on the same page,” he said. “We’ve had several girls who aren’t cross country runners, but are there strictly for the conditioning. I think it’s going to benefit all our sports.”
The first meet will be Saturday, Aug. 19 at Jim Ned’s Warpath Invitational. The district meet will be run Wednesday, Oct. 11 at a site to be determined.
