How two middle schoolers discovered the art of cross country.
As the cross-country season winds down, two young athletes, Gus Cianciaruso’29 and Anya Shah’28 reflect on their experiences, motivations, and the lessons they’ve learned from running. Both offer unique perspectives on what keeps them going through the miles, the challenges of balancing schoolwork, and their thoughts on life beyond XC.
Anya Shah’28 racing to the finish at Loose Park. (Coleen Mandell)
Cianciaruso, an 8th grader joined the team simply looking for a way to stay busy after school. “I just needed an after-school thing to do,” he explains. Without other sports to fall back on, XC became his go-to activity. One of his favorite places to run is Loose Park. “It’s only a mile away, and conference meets there are nice because the drive is relaxing.” For him, running is a personal experience he prefers going solo. “When I run in a group, I feel like I’m being raced, but when I’m by myself, I can go at my own pace.”
Staying motivated on the course can be tough, but Cianciaruso finds joy in simple thoughts. “When I feel like walking, I just think about what I’m going to have for dinner.” He appreciates the off-campus runs, saying, “It’s nice to not be stuck at school for another hour.” However, he’s unsure if he’ll continue running in high school. “I don’t think I’m ready for it,” he admits. “But I will miss XC because then I can’t skip classes!”
Balancing schoolwork with XC hasn’t been too stressful for him. “It doesn’t really affect me since I only miss P.E. and singing.” On race days, Cianciaruso stays calm, focusing more on finishing than on competing. “I’m neutral. I just want to get it done. But telling myself, ‘I can do it!’ helps.”
Anya, a 7th grader, on the other hand, joined the team with a different goal in mind. “I started XC to do conditioning for other sports and stay in shape,” she says. Like her teammate , she enjoys Loose Park but for another reason. “It’s the first meet, and the course is really pretty.” Shah values running not just for XC but also for the physical benefits it brings to her other sports. “Staying in shape and keeping the running aspect alive is what motivates me.”
Unlike Cianciaruso , Shah enjoys running with others. “Running in a group gives you support. It’s nice to have people around you,” she explains. She also finds off-campus runs refreshing. “It’s a change of scenery, and I love running through different neighborhoods.”
Though she enjoys the experience, Shah feels ready for the season to end. “I’m fine with the season wrapping up because my schedule will lighten, but I’m planning on doing track this year too.” While XC affects her time management, she’s found a way to balance it all. “It cuts into my day, but I still have enough time to get everything done in the evening.”
When it comes to race day, Shah focuses more on effort than results. “I concentrate on how hard I work, not my place,” she says. Her personal mantra when the finish line draws near? “You’re so close!”
As their season draws to a close, both Cianciaruso and Shah reflect on the lessons they’ve learned. For Cianciaruso, it’s about finding his own pace and enjoying the little things along the way. For Anya, XC has been a way to push herself and prepare for future athletic challenges.
While the two athletes may have different approaches to running, both share a sense of accomplishment. Whether it’s 8th grader Cianciaruso enjoying the freedom of off-campus runs or Shah embracing group runs for support, their time in XC has shaped not only their fitness but also their mindset teaching them about perseverance, balance, and the importance of staying motivated through every mile.
