Finding the Strength

hat takes endurance, passion, and a strong and positive mental view of running. This sport is one of the most brutal on the body in terms of physically and mentally hurting yourself. In this sport you run miles and miles without stopping. Some students find that this is their favorite sport while others still think that there is a better way to have fun. Some people think that if you are a cross country runner you are completely crazy. Runners at Rangeview are completely and unconditionally devoted to this sport. For some of them it’s a way to release stress, and others just like the team and see them as the family they never had. Sophomore Victoria Weaver said, “I enjoy it, I like the team, I love the sport because it is a challenge.”


Students need a challenge in their everyday life and some of them need it physically, others mentally. These students need to be academically successful in order to run in a race. Sophomore Alicia Laws said, “Cross country is fun. I live for the satisfaction I get when I finish the race. Knowing that I’ve finished even though I was in so much pain, I still crossed that line.”

Cross Country is not a sport for kids who don’t believe in themselves. It takes a lot to run miles without water or rest. You have to train your body to adapt to the harsh conditions you are put through. Weaver says, “One; you have to be tough. Two’ you have to be in shape and have endurance. Also you need to be very committed and work hard.”

Cross Country has changed lives for so many students, their stress levels have actually dropped because of cross country. Everyone that knows Rangeview Cross Country knows of Rikki Gonzales, but the team as a whole is the bigger part for everybody. The times of all the girls in practice helps determine who is on varsity every week.

This sport is very exciting for the runners and the viewers at the finish line. RHS competes in many different places in Colorado. The good thing about having a state that has so much scenery is when you’re running you’re not seeing the same things over and over and over again. Cross Country is a sport that takes courage, endurance, perseverance, and most of all heart.