Right before a race, you can find Jones’ runners huddled up, exchanging words of encouragement to one another. With athletes practicing alongside each other for six days out of the week, what does unity mean for its runners?
As one of Jones’ few no-cut sports, all Eagles interested in running are welcome to join the team and represent the school in the numerous meets throughout the season. Both the mental and physical endurance of runners were strengthened while team camaraderie and personal growth shined. Although cross country serves as an individual sport, the community in which the team fosters is a memorable part of the journey that the runners share together.
This season, both the boys and girls teams finished fifth place at city championships and the boys team made sectionals, while girls runners Re’gan Townsend ‘26 and Helena Smith-Donald ‘27 made sectionals as well.
“There’s definitely a big team aspect. We definitely all work together,” said girls team captain Elise Ankney ‘27.
Unity is a big theme of this season for both girls and boys runners at Jones. Feeling like there’s a community behind you rather than simply being another athlete is an important value for runners.
As one of the team captains who has been running since her freshman year, Ankney has been around long enough to see progress from both herself and her teammates.
“I feel like we’ve grown a lot as a team with our times, and also, just together,” said Ankney.
The enjoyment runners have towards the sport and about the team could be attributed to feeling a sense of accomplishment alongside one another, and the familiarity of a cooperative environment.
“I plan to also do it my senior year, along with track and everything,” said Ankney.
The cohesion and stability that the team feels now wasn’t always felt in the previous seasons. However, as seasons passed and new coaches came in, the team felt a spark of optimism and togetherness that it was lacking before.
“My freshman and sophomore year were a little more difficult because we had different coaches for those two years,” said boys team captain, Aedric Addington ‘26.
Like Ankney, Addington has been running for the Jones cross country team since his freshman year of high school. Now a senior, he has been getting scouted to run for colleges. However, for Addington, being an athlete for the team isn’t all about athleticism and competitiveness. It’s about the connections he’s been able to make since joining.
“I joined the team as a way to get to know people,” said Addington.
The relationships that you build with your fellow teammates is an important component of a successful team.
“I think that’s one of the biggest strengths of the team, finding connections by running next to somebody,” said Addington.
Effort is another element that the team emphasizes, with runners dedicating six days of practice per week to prepare for the handful of races that take place during the seasons.
“I think we go very underappreciated for just how hardworking we are,” said varsity boys runner Matthew Richlen ‘27.
Richlen has been running since his freshman year like Addington and Ankney, and will also be returning to the team for his final year with plans to improve his running.
“I started out freshman year running 17:12 in the 5k and I’ve gotten it down to 15:50,” said Richlen.
Because times are individual, any improvements or personal records made by runners highlight the work they put into their running and the endurance they have built with practice.
“I’ve really learned, like the values of hard work and how nothing is given,” said Richlen.
As the 25-26 season comes to an end, the theme of unity stays relevant to the runners. The friendships that were fostered throughout this season and previous season highlights what it means to be united and work as a team.
“We’re all friends outside of practice, and it’s really just like a nice, welcoming environment,” said Ankney.
Runners describe the structure of the team as harmonious, with progress being made by runners and friendships being formed throughout. Leaders of the team recognize the role that unity and effort play in shaping a successful team, as well as the effectiveness of teamwork. The team shows that success doesn’t rely solely on numbers or times, but rather the team’s ability to operate as one.
“We have such a great community,” said Addington.
