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Cross Country
US National High School Preview Series
Tue, August 20, 2024 at 11:08 AM . Michigan
The Pinckney High School Men's Cross Country team is gearing up for another exciting season. With a strong focus on teamwork and a tradition of success, Coach James Wicker is confident that this year's team will continue to push themselves to reach their goals. One of the key factors in the team's success this season will be the return of several top players from last year's roster. Leading the way is junior Zach Newman, who has been a standout in both conference and regional championships. Newman's dedication and hard work make him a valuable asset to the team. Another strong returner is senior Kyle Osborn, who has consistently been a top performer in both individual and team competitions. His leadership skills and positive attitude make him a key player in promoting team chemistry and camaraderie. But it's not just the familiar faces that will be making an impact this season. Coach Wicker is excited about the new additions to the team. Freshmen Cole McCraw, Gabe Maciag, Nate Sandula, and Andrew Hagerty have all shown promise during pre-season training and are expected to make an immediate impact on the team's performance. When it comes to building team chemistry and camaraderie, Coach Wicker believes in having strong leaders who can lead by example. Newman, Maciag, and Osborn have all shown that they are capable of organizing team activities outside of the sport, helping to foster a sense of closeness and unity among the team. However, preparing for the upcoming season hasn't been without its challenges. As with any team, there are areas of improvement that need to be addressed. Lack of depth and a young team are some of the challenges that Coach Wicker and his coaching staff are working on. But with the team's dedication and determination, they are confident that they will overcome these obstacles. The team's schedule for this season includes tough opponents, but the players are looking forward to the challenge. Coach Wicker emphasizes the importance of being at their best during the championship season, so the team will use every game as an opportunity to improve and prepare for the important competitions. As for any changes to the team's training and conditioning program, Coach Wicker reveals that they have implemented a stronger focus on distance running. In cross country, mental strength is just as important as physical strength, and the team has been working on developing a positive attitude and resilience to push through the toughest moments of a race.