Expectations are high for the New Trier High School boys cross country team this year. Last season, the team placed No. 7 in the state championship. So far, this season has gone well, according to head coach Matthew Sloan, and there is a lot to look forward to.
The team has had a few races to start the season, finishing second at the Harry Carlson Invitational on Sept. 21, No. 20 at the Lake Park Harvey Braus Classic on Sept. 14, second at the Hinsdale Central Invitational on Sept. 7, and eight at the Palatine Invitational on Sept. 28.
The consistency that the Varsity team has sustained over the years relies on intense preparation and training throughout the week over an entire season. The daily team training consists of numerous elements to strengthen the athletes in all aspects of running.
“Our practices begin with a 1/2 mile warm-up followed by a dynamic stretching routine before we tackle the main workout for the day,” Sloan said.
Along with training to improve as runners, Sloan emphasized the importance of team bonding throughout the season.
“The varsity training group takes road trips to some great trails around the Chicagoland area in the summer and early part of the season,” Sloan said. “Along with the girls XC program, the parents put on carb fests prior to four of our Saturday invitationals.”
For Sloan, watching his athletes succeed brings him happiness.
“Our coaching staff loves watching our athletes compete,” Sloan said. “It is awesome as a coach to see hard work and execution of a race plan come together for an athlete.”
One athlete Sloan loves watching compete is junior Jordan Kreiner on the varsity team. Kreiner has his own perspective on the weekly individual training he puts in.
“Currently I’m running seven days a week, and anywhere between 50-55 miles. I’ve started doing strategic lifting, and making sure to prioritize sleep,” Kreiner said. “I do a lot of strengthening exercises as injury prevention — it doesn’t matter how fit you are if you can’t run.”
Kreiner is attempting to not only contribute to the team goals, but also to his personal goals, making his training even more important.
“My goal is to run sub 15 minutes for the three-mile at state, and also to place top 50,” Kreiner said.
When it comes to race day, there is an expectation that the training the runners put in will pay off. However, Sloan makes clear to the runners that they focus on what they can control, and let the external factors play out on their own.
“We stress to our athletes that their focus should be on controllables, being process as opposed to outcome driven, and doing their best. Our race plan tasks the runners to ‘go out hard, take charge, and have fun’ during the first, second, and third miles of their races,” Sloan said. “The athletes understand that they need to be where their feet are by ‘winning the moment, weathering the storms that occur during races, and then crushing the challenges.’”
Sloan and his cross country team are hopeful that their work throughout the season will lead them to a podium finish at the state meet in early November.
“Cross country, while an individual race, is a team sport unlike any I participated in. There is a shared camaraderie amongst teammates as everyone understands what their peers are preparing for and experiencing in workouts and on race day,” Sloan said.