Rockport-Fulton High School Cross Country Boys Season Preview

As the fall season approaches, the Rockport-Fulton High School cross-country team is gearing up for an exciting and competitive year. Led by Coach Keith Thompson, this team is determined to have a successful season, improve their program, and uphold the strong traditions of the school. One of the key factors for a successful team is having a strong group of returning players. For the Rockport-Fulton High School cross country team, this includes a talented group of runners who have proven themselves on the course last season. According to Coach Thompson, these returning players will play a vital role in the team's success this year. First and foremost, Coach Thompson mentioned Royce Havens as a standout returning player. Havens made state his freshmen year and has continued to show his competitive drive in every practice and meet. As a seasoned runner, his experience and determination will be a great asset to the team. Aside from these top returning players, Coach Thompson also looks for specific qualities in potential team captains. He values someone who is driven to compete at a high level and is willing to do the little things while holding their teammates accountable. This year, Bradley Hernandez has been chosen as one of the team captains and continues to prove his leadership abilities on and off the course. To have a successful season, Coach Thompson emphasizes the importance of team chemistry and camaraderie. The team will participate in various team dinners and outside-of-school activities to strengthen their bond and create a supportive atmosphere. This not only creates a sense of unity within the team, but it also helps to motivate each individual to push themselves to their full potential. As a coach, one of Coach Thompson's biggest challenges has been preparing the team mentally for the season. The runners need to understand their current abilities and what they need to do to improve and reach their goals. Coach Thompson stresses the importance of being honest with the team and constantly communicating with them about their progress and areas for improvement. In terms of training and conditioning, Coach Thompson ensures that the team is mentally prepared and strong for the season. This includes a combination of physical training, as well as mental exercises to improve focus and endurance. He explains that cross country is not just a physical sport, but also requires mental toughness and resilience.