Western High School Cross Country Season Preview

Cross-country season has arrived, and the Western High School Warriors are ready to hit the ground running, both literally and figuratively. With high hopes and lofty goals, the team has been hard at work preparing for the upcoming season. I had the opportunity to speak with Coach Marcus Johnson and get a sneak peek into what we can expect from this year's team. The Warriors boast a talented group of returning players, both in the girls' and boys' teams. Coach Johnson highlighted that the entire girls' team is returning, and on the boys' side, they only lost one team member. This consistency and continuity within the team will undoubtedly play a significant role in their success this season. Some standout returning players include the girls' best runner from last season, who was just one spot away from earning a state medal. Coach Johnson shares that the goal is to get her on the podium this year. On the boys' side, Kobe Sullivan, a junior who was the team's top runner last season, also stands out. He has been consistently improving and has his sights set on earning a state medal this year. In addition to the strong core of returning players, the Warriors also have some new team members who are expected to make an immediate impact. For the boys' team, Coach Johnson highlights Kobe Sullivan once again, who qualified for state as a freshman and has grown both physically and in skill since then. On the girls' side, Iris Martinez is expected to make waves. She narrowly missed out on a state medal last season and has been consistently working hard to improve her performance. Like any other sports team, the Western High School Warriors have faced their own set of challenges in preparing for the upcoming season. Coach Johnson, who also serves as an ROTC instructor, emphasizes the importance of discipline and integrity within the team. Despite having early morning practices (5 AM!), the players are expected to arrive 15 minutes early, showing their commitment and discipline towards the sport. Another significant challenge for the team has been competing against some powerhouse schools in their region. However, Coach Johnson shares that their goal is to finish in the top 2 in the regional competition, which is a realistic and achievable goal for this talented team.