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Sports

Northwestern Cross Country Team Is in Need of Runners

The Northwestern High School cross country team currently finds itself undermanned.

With fall high school athletic practices kicking off county-wide this week, Northwestern cross country was no exception. The distance running team convened Monday afternoon for their initial jaunt around the insect-infested lake of University Hills Recreation Center, accompanied by head coach Terri Dendy and her assistant Kenny Washington.

Although the team arrived on time, and in proper attire, one problem was readily apparent: with only five committed runners, four girls and one boy, the wildcats are severely undermanned.

Many high school and university-level cross country teams across the nation boast rosters of more than 20 runners. Considering that a team cannot even place at a cross country meet with fewer than five runners per gender, recruitment is atop Dendy's to-do list.   

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"This is the hardest season to sell for the kids. There are a lot of kids who think this cross country stuff is too hard," Dendy said. "They don't understand the concept, especially when you send them on these distance runs."

Dendy hopes to have at least seven boys and seven girls by the middle of September, when the first meet is scheduled to take place. In that case, even with injuries, sicknesses or other engagements, her team may still be large enough to qualify for placement at meets.

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"We remind them that they get to go compete in different places," Dendy said of her recruitment strategy. "They look forward to away meets. We're trying to go to Virginia Tech for our indoor season. We need to just give them something to work for."

Despite the team's current size, there are certainly bright spots within the roster.

Senior Justin McPherson of University Park finished in the top 20 in several races as a junior before injuring his hamstring late in the season. According to Dendy, he is currently the "most fit" of any runner on the team.

"Last year wasn't how I expected it," McPherson said during Monday's practice. "My best time was 20 minutes, but I kept running 21 (on a 3.2 mile race). I've been working hard in D.C. at Coolidge High all summer to improve. I want to make my senior year the best it can be."

On the girls' side, junior Christina Francis is looking to step into a leadership role. After missing the state championship meet by just three places in the 800 meter event last year, she is poised to lead her team to a better finish this season.

"I did well but I could have done better," she said. "I've been practicing every day at the school on the track. This year, I hope to make it to state."

Before dreams of competing for state glory can be accomplished, vacant roster spots must be filled. According to Dendy, who is also the athletic director at Northwestern, there are 2,600 students at the school, but only 300 student athletes.

"It's very frustrating at times," she said. "But I find kids and I tell them, 'I know you can do something. What sport do you want to try?' That's the biggest thing—trying to get them interested. Once we get the kids out, they see success and learn to enjoy it."

The first cross country meet will be held on Sept. 15 at 4 p.m. at Fort Washington Park.

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