The cross country team is off to a powerful beginning of the season. Even in the summer, individuals were putting out their best effort to prepare for the meets in the upcoming autumn.
“We’re in one of the strongest conferences in the state,” said coach Matt Zaluckyj.
As a whole, the team is looking forward to moving up this year in the Fox Valley Conference, since it will be Grayslake North’s final year to be part of the division.
“We want the team to have it’s best showing at Conference this year,” Zaluckyj said.
Coaches are working the runners hard to improve on running as a whole, instead of individually.
“We are really working on staying together as a pack and just competing,” Zaluckyj said.
The season started off impressively with having over 30 kids that participated in the cross country camp over the summer. Coaches were looking forward to seeing their athletes come into the year prepared and in shape.
“We’ve never had that many kids come out to the camp in previous years,” Zaluckyj said.
Many of the team’s top runners have been absorbing the techniques, but also having fun on the courses.
“I hope I can be some help to the underclassmen, motivational-wise. I just want to have fun with it, but [also] be competitive on the course too,” said senior Valery Zamora.
Both coaches have recruited some track and field athletes to participate in the cross country season, such as Zamora and Jacquelyn Garza.
Coaches Zaluckyj and Brandon Boyd are looking toward seeing both teams and a number of individuals make it further through the season. At the Wauconda meet, boys varsity finished 13th. The team competed at Warren this past Saturday, and is looking forward to the Grant’s JT Taylor invite in Fox Lake on the 26th.