Even as a non-contact sport, cross country is not excluded from the changes athletics has experienced since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senior runners Justin Spoon and Bethany Hamilton were able to shed light on what this 2020 season looks like for them.
There are two major changes that have a heavy impact on competition this fall — instead of eight meets, there are only six, which includes nationals, and nationals have been moved to the spring.
“If we were to qualify as a team or send any individuals again, we would have to wait between three to four months to compete at nationals, which really strains training,” said Spoon. “A runner can only stay in peak race shape for maybe a month or two, at the end of a long process we call taper. So the question is, would we risk injury trying to stay in shape or try to get back in peak shape while on winter break, where we don’t have the direct support of our coaches and trainers? That’s realistically the biggest worry for me right now.”
But the many changes are not discouraging seniors.
“COVID or no COVID, this is my senior season, which has given me extra motivation to give it all I got,” said Hamilton. “Ten years of this sport will be coming to a close before I know it, so I don’t want to take any of it for granted. Not everyone is getting the chance to play their sport this fall, so I am super thankful that I am even getting the opportunity to give cross country one last run.” Hamilton is now hitting sub twenty-minute times on her race pace and length runs.
Similar to Hamilton, Spoon is also not letting the pandemic hinder his performance or mindset.
“I’m really gunning for a school record this fall, which hinges on whether or not I’ll have the opportunity to race with strong competition,” said Spoon. “My only hope right now is that we do have the opportunity to compete at conference because this year we have a legitimate shot to win a conference championship. But for now, we’re just taking it day by day and hoping we have the opportunity to show the work we put in during the extended off season.”
The Asbury Eagles men’s and women’s teams will have their season opener at the Eagle Opener meet on Saturday, September 5 at 10:30 AM in Wilmore.
