With the time trials coming up on Saturday, Aug. 31, at 9 a.m. at Pioneers Park, runners are working towards beating their own personal times and being placed on either the junior varsity and varsity cross country team. 

“The community in cross country is definitely great,” sophomore Emersyn Mohling said. “The team likes to cheer on their own and it’s really encouraging and just a positive place. It’s really fun to run with my friends during the summer and after school.” 

With the 2024-2025 school year beginning, the Lincoln Southwest cross country team is beginning their journey to improvement. Over the summer, they had summer training to keep consistency amongst their runners. Running through whatever conditions May through August had to offer, the season is finally beginning.

“I think that I have definitely improved,” sophomore Sloan Fink said. “I used to not be able to run a mile, and now I can do that pretty easily and run about four miles with no problem now.”

From runners who are starting their first year to a cross country veteran, there are favorite moments of every cross country meet. 

“My favorite part of the meets and just the team in general is the bus rides home,” Mohling said. “Everyone is always joking around and having a lot of fun together.”

For people considering joining cross country, members of the current team recommend that they join for the next coming year for self improvement.

“If someone is thinking of joining cross country, they definitely should,” Fink said. It’s really fun and it’s going to be hard work, but it’s definitely worth it.”