The Lake Oconee Academy cross country programs have been out in full force since the end of last school year.
Both the boys and girls’ teams have been training multiple days a week over the past couple months getting ready for the upcoming fall season.
First-year girl’s head coach Carina Sauter explained to the Lake Oconee News that most of the runners on both teams play other sports, which allows them to focus on increasing their stamina during practice.
“With many of our runners participating in other sports in the winter and spring seasons, we really try to focus on increasing stamina during our summer workouts,” Sauter said. “They’re all extremely competitive and athletic, so using practice to increase mileage is our main goal.”
Comparatively, both Titans’ squads ended last season on a positive note.
The varsity boys finished second in Region 8 A-Public, and eventually qualified for the state meet where the Titans finished sixth overall. The team was led by Ty Wood and Justin Zahler, both of whom finished in the top 25 statewide.
The Lady Titans varsity team was highlighted by its sole runner, Jane Monachello, who ended up finishing third in region and 16th in the state.
Sauter acknowledged that this year, both teams will have more runners than they did last season, which she believes will further each program’s success.
“We have several returning runners that will help to maintain our success, and a couple additions to the varsity teams that will hopefully put us in the position to do very well in both the region and state competitions,” Sauter said. “Freshman Carson Johnston will certainly be a key runner this season for our boys’ team, and senior Kensi Stevens is returning to help our girls’ team to success.”
Heading into the fall, both teams will have runners with experience that can help motivate others with their leadership.
The boys’ team returns Zahler to the lineup, who will be accompanied by fellow rising senior Jefferson Amaya and junior Mason Honea, all of which Sauter believes will play an instrumental role in the team’s development throughout the season.
“We have a team of leaders that have already formed. Amaya and Zahler, two returning seniors, have go-get-em attitudes that inspire all of our runners. Justin had a phenomenal championship season last year, and I’m particularly excited to see how he takes off this year,” Sauter said. “In addition, junior Mason Honea took the reins into his own hands in the off-season, getting the team together for captain’s practices.
For the girls’ team, Sauter is excited to see Monachello’s progression, and how she can help incoming varsity runners.
“Monachello, our sole female varsity runner last year, has stepped up as a leader already this season,” Sauter said. “Last year, she was a great role model for our middle school girls to look up to, and this year, we’ll have a full varsity girls’ team as well. Her work ethic and drive are inspirational, but her awesome personality and kind character are what make her a true leader.”
With a full varsity girls’ roster for this upcoming season, Sauter hopes to bring her knowledge of the sport to the table, so that everyone can learn how to get better.
For her, it’s less about the running and more about the connections she builds with her athletes, and the connections they build with each other.
“The personal relationships you make in this sport are so important, and I hope my team can capitalize on these,” Sauter said. “Though many mistake cross country for an individual sport, my runners know that each of them are vital to the success of the program; they rely on each other on and off the course, and I hope that I can instill a sense of optimism, camaraderie, and stellar work ethic in each of them to realize their true capabilities and the team’s full potential.”