Coffee County cross country is preparing for their regional championship; however, this year is more exciting than in the past because they are hosting it! At the regional race, it is a competition to see who will qualify to run at the state championship. The regional championship will be held on a course made at the Old Stone Fort golf course.
The runners have been working all season, having set several personal records and top 10 finishes at meets. Nevertheless, their success was challenged by a few hardships. Cross country coach, Matt Rossman, explains, “We are a very young team, and started off the season by losing our top guy runner to injury…But we’ve had a lot of new people come in and step up.”
While helping the runners get ready for an outstanding run, Rossman shares his thoughts on hosting the regionals, “It’s cool; it’s always in Murfreesboro so to have all the Murfreesboro schools come here is exciting.”
Their running plan for regionals has taken place all season, Rossman says “There’s an old adage: ‘You’d rather be undertrained and fresh than over trained and tired.’ But we definitely aren’t under-trained, but we are taking this week to taper our distances and paces.”
Some of the runners, Cayden Miller and Bailey Kitts, have goals to PR and move onto state as individuals. Both parties are very thrilled, yet feel the pressure of having to succeed and represent the team well at a home meet.
Kitts was asked why she runs and she said, “I run because I want to keep with what I’ve got and I also love the friendships I’ve made.” This team has been able to bond and have built firm relationships. Miller says, “We don’t always have time to hang out after practice, but whenever we are with each other we get along while goofing off.”
Several of the runners hope to run in college; one of these is senior Kailee Rossman. She is the daughter of Coach Rossman, and is the top girl runner. Rossman has a personal best of 20:20 and placed 63 out of 198 at state last year. She has committed to running at Milligan and her family, friends, and teammates are very proud.
The home regional championships will take place on the day of Tues. Oct. 24. The girls run at 9 in the morning, the boys follow at 9:40, and the JV race will come after that. Come out and show the Red Raider runners support as they battle in postseason races.
