Your shoe is on the crumbly track behind the white line, line holding you back from taking off. Your mind is preparing you for the sound, the sound that will encourage you to pace yourself for the mile ahead of you. Track? No. This is Cross Country Running. Cross Country Running may not be a spectator sport, but many kids dedicate their time and energy to it. To some people, Cross Country Running can merely be a sport on a list but to students such as Devan Mandregan, a junior, and Amelia Hennessy, a sophomore, both on varsity, it is a part of their everyday lives. Even though she just started last year, Mandregan runs one mile, every day. She says it takes “dedication” to become a good Cross Country runner. Hennessy is a different story. She started running when she was in third grade. She is interested in the competition of the sport and finds it fun to watch. She, too, runs outside of school. She believes it takes “legs” to be a good runner. Other varsity runners such as Tyler Gillam, a senior, Kerrick Eagle, a sophomore, and Matt Froehlich, a sophomore, all had the same opinions on most subjects: They agreed Jake Alward is one of the best runners on the team. They also agreed Cross Country Running is not amusing to watch. Gillam started running freshman year to stay in shape, as did Eagle and Froehlich. Gillam enjoys the sport but adds that they could add some kind of event that involves a runner carrying a ball while running. He also mentioned, “Nate Normandin is the best coach ever.” Eagle and Froehlich began running in middle school. Knowing Matt since elementary school, he was always known as “that kid” who knew how to run far, and long. Alward, senior, varsity, stated in an online interview, “I started running I think in third grade when I could join the track team at my school. I started because my uncle was really good and I wanted to be like him. “I like other sports including basketball and hockey. I think everyone on my team is good. Matt Kerrick and John will be really good next year. “I run outside of school during the winter for my uncles track club. And that is twice a week. And to be a good runner you have to believe in yourself and be extremely dedicated.” Nate Normandin, Dimond math teacher and Cross Country coach, started running in high school and carried on into college. In fact, Normandin made Top 10 in State in 1997. After his award-winning days, he changed his position to coach and started with Dimond in 2007. He believes that Dimond will make state this year because he feels the team is very motivated. Runners he believes will do well are Sarah Freistone, Amelia Hennessy and Mitchell Brown. He believes it takes “individual desire” to be a good Cross Country runner.