Sara Sandstrom-Kobi, Nederland. Cross country running is said to have originated in England. It is not as prestigious as sprints and marathons. It was dropped from the Olympics after 1924 and is thought by some to be a loner sport. In actuality every runner counts from the leaders to the ones in the middle of the pack to the ones at the end. It is both an individual and team sport. The course can be a combination of running on grass, gravel, in the forest, up and down hills, flat ground or even through water and mud. In high school the course is a 5K race in rain, sun, or snow. You have to have stamina, speed and be able to navigate tough terrain. 

This year Nederland High School has 10 runners on the team. They are led by Coach Kira Badyrka. This is the only fall sport at the high school that can have competitions because of Covid-19. The season has been shortened, there are fewer meets and specific protocols must be followed. A health screener must be filled out before every practice and meet. Masks must be worn if people cannot be six feet apart. All training must be outside.  

Currently the Nederland Cross Country team will be participating in two meets. One in Estes Park and one at Dawson School in Lafayette. Regionals take place in Lyons and the State meet is in Colorado Springs in October. 

When I asked Nederland Middle High School Athletic Director and Vice Principal, Chuck Doudna, about the sports this year he said, “Everything is fluid. We hope to have fall sports in the spring with shortened seasons.” Mr. Doudna would love to see all the sports have some kind of season. He says, “Kids need sports.” 

The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) determines what sports and if sports can safely take place this year. 

Coach Badyrka is coaching the high school team for the first time this year. Before she was the middle school cross country coach. She says, “The team is very supportive of each other. They encourage one another to do their best. I could not ask for a better group of kids.” The Nederland High School Cross Country team has a reputation of genuine camaraderie amongst the athletes. There is a mutual respect for each other. 

The Nederland team consists of seniors Ely Nitsch, Meagan Figgins, and Dante Lanthier; juniors Eirween McClish, Ivy Brundege, Townes Bakke, and Ben Nichols; sophomores Mackenzie Weber and Annabel Ivey; freshman Trinity LeBlanc. 

There were a few sprinkles in the air when I met with a few members of the team and their coach outside the school. Her first year on the high school team Trinity LeBlanc honestly said that running cross country is exhausting and quickly added that is it fun, too.

As the raindrops increased the runners prepared to start their practice. No one complained about the rain or the hill they were about to conquer behind the school. Most practices they run four or five miles. Other days they do speed training. Being a cross country runner demands commitment, preparation, and flexibility to run in any type of weather and terrain. 

Nederland High School has 10 runners doing their best and at the same time hoping to improve with each practice and meet. They have attitude and altitude on their side to have a great season. 

(Originally published in the September 3, 2020, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)