While students settle back into their everyday school routine, Barstow’s cross country team is hard at work. They held their first practice on August 8th, but have been individually training throughout the summer. Now, they are wrapping up preseason practice as their first meet approaches.
“Preseason prep includes lots of long-distance running to get back into shape. We sometimes do 4-5 mile runs away from the campus, as well as speed and strength training,” Mimi Wood (‘26) said. “We focus mainly on getting back into the swing of things before our first meet.”
While the team is relatively small compared to former years, the three members make up for it in strength and determination. Isabella “Isa” Welty (‘25), Jackson Williams (‘25), and Mimi Wood (‘26), train every day after school with their interim coach, Christina Kieffer.
Welty explained everyday training, “We practice every day after school, and usually start with a one or two-mile warmup, depending on the day. We then do a speed or workout training session in the weights room, and if we do a longer run, that is usually anywhere from four to nine miles.”
The cross country team has its first meet on Wednesday, August 31, and would love to have students and faculty there to support them. “Our first meet is at Cass-Midway High School on Wednesday, and although it is a bit of a drive, we would love to have you there to support us,” Welty said. Cass-Midway is located in Cleveland, Missouri, about a 30-minute drive from Barstow. The meet starts at 6:00 pm.
Cass-Midway is a relatively small meet, with only smaller schools participating. Welty explained that “usually there are 6 or 7 people in each race in the girls’ section and 10 to 12 boys per race.” Although it is a smaller race, “it’s a great opportunity to meet new people and get people introduced,” Welty said.
Looking ahead throughout the year, the cross country team will attend many exciting meets, including the Gans Creek Cross Country Course on September 24, the Matt Gannon Invitational, and the Missouri State Competition.
Welty is especially looking forward to the Gans Creek invitational. “It’s like a preview of the state course before the actual state tournament, because state is at the same place. It is an enjoyable experience and a good bonding opportunity for the team,” she explains.
Another key event the team is looking forward to is the Matt Gannon Invitational. It is the only meet Barstow hosts, and it honors Barstow’s former cross country coach and middle school teacher, Matt Gannon. The invitational is “about 3.5 miles, maybe more, and mainly outside the Barstow campus.”
As the cross country team gets ready for their first meet, they would love for you to come out and support them! They also are still accepting new members. You are welcome to join the team now by attending practices, even though the season is about to start.
