by: Elisabeth Dills and Jolenne Woodlee 

In this issue, we will be highlighting the achievements of the girls in cross country, Shalyn Gutierrez and Payton Garza.

Running cross country requires a great deal of motivation. Athletes in this sport often draw inspiration from various sources, such as setting personal goals, finding joy in running, and seeking support from teammates and coaches. Additionally, visualizing success, maintaining a positive mindset, and celebrating progress can all contribute to staying motivated throughout the season.

Now we will dive into an interview from Shalyn, Shalyn states “ cross country runners are like family to me”. I asked her why cross country, and her answer was “My friend thought it would be fun, I stuck with it since seventh grade”  Shalyn’s biggest inspiration she says is her friend Cassidy Vicker. Why? well because she would always push Shalyn to do her best when it came to running.

 Moving on to our interview with Payton Garza, runner for the Pleasanton cross country team, expresses that her biggest inspiration is her teammates. She says this is because something that gets her through her races is desserts and the benefits of the races if she wins.