After a summer of early morning workouts, the boys cross country team went to coach Andrew Higham’s home to celebrate the end of summer. The runners swam and ate burgers, hot dogs and a cookie cake. Most importantly, they got to know each other.

The pool party allowed upperclassmen to interact and get to know the freshman class, which was very important to build a strong team culture. 

“You don’t really build a relationship just in practice and practice alone,” senior Elijah Merino said. “You have to see them outside of practice. You have to want to talk to them.”

Last season, Merino helped lead the boys cross country team to state for the second year in a row. This year, the team hopes to qualify for its third state championship in a row. 

Two returners from last year’s state team return – Merino and Carson Brown. Along with new teammates, the squad also has a new coach. Coach Chris Elliott, who was the boys cross country coach for more than a decade, retired at the end of the year. With Higham taking over the team, the boys had to get used to a new style of coaching. The veterans are also taking on more of the leadership of the team.

 “A lot more people on the team are stepping up as leaders because they know that they need to be leaders,” Merino said.

Brown, Merino and Will Burningham have been recognized for their leadership this year. Brown finished in third place at the district meet last year. He was also the teams second-highest finisher at the state meet last year. 

Burningham is starting his first season on varsity this year, and he is already making a positive impact on his team. He got varsity runner of the meet at the Kingwood classmate challenge.  

“He’s been a really good influence for the rest of the team and the other juniors,” Merino said 

The cross country team is determined to return to the state championship for a third-consecutive year.

That preparation has started in practice, which begins each morning  at 5:30 a.m. Higham gets them in what he calls the “State mindset.” Before practices, he gives motivational speeches. After practices, he sometimes provides popsicles. 

“The team is really strong-willed,” Higham said. “They do a good job with their workouts, and they really challenge themselves.”

The runners are pushing each other to get better each day and hope it pays off in a third-consecutive trip to State. The team finished 15th at State in 2022 and 12th at State in 2023.

“We don’t want to just go to State this year,” Merino said. “We want to podium at State.”