Article written by Alexia Cardamone
For most athletes running is usually a punishment, but for cross country runners, running is their sport. Cross country runners put in a lot of hard work and time to prepare for their meets.
"We have a week consisted of two more intense hill days and three solid work days and one long run on Saturday. How far the girls run really depends on where they're at. Some girls run over 40 miles a week and some run all the way down to 20 miles, so it depends where they are at. The training is customized so it depends on how hard you push yourself and how hard you work!" Mrs. Angie Means, head girls cross country coach said. The girls cross country does not know what a day off is. "The girl meet in the summer Mon-Fri. It is optional for the girls to meet all five days, but the more they can run together, the more they feel part of a team before the season starts. If they get their mileage in during the summer, it's like we are already half way through our training when the season hits," Coach Means said.
Mrs. Means has been coaching for a total of 13 years and she loves every second. Last year was her first year back as a Norfolk Panther.
"Just being around the kids is a great part of my day. Seeing the excitement in one of the girls when they run their highest mileage or when someone runs their fastest time, it might be a struggling runner that gets a PR, all of those things are very rewarding!" Mrs. Means said.
Mrs. Means does not watch TV very often but when she does get a chance to sit and relax, she loves to watch "Chicago Fire" and the occasional "Golden Girls" episode. Mrs. Means did not run cross country in high school because where she attended high school basketball was in the fall. After a little while of thinking she was able to narrow down her favorite book to two choices; a book called Choosing To See and The Bible.
"Good work ethic, dedication to the sport and dedication to each other" Means said. Those are the three things she looks for in a cross country athlete. "For these girls, this is like a family, they become very close and they just love each other. Running just helps you find yourself I think that everyone can benefit from running and you don't have to run fast! Cross country helps and you can continue to push yourself and others," Mean said for anyone on the fence about joining cross country.
Last year Norfolk's fastest time at a meet was 19:40.02 set by Junior Megan Means at home in the Norfolk Invite, and although we had six seniors leave, that will not stop the panthers, Junior Grace Protzman, Sophomore Corrin Day , and Senior Jenna Callies are all ready to come back this season and make this year one for the books!
"The girls are going to go out and they are going to do their best, we have a lot of new girls that put in a lot of time and I expect big things out of them!" Means said.
Mrs. Means loves to work hard and have fun while doing it! Everyone on the Panther Staff wishes Means and all of her athletes the best of luck this season!
For more student-written articles, see the September 2016 Panther Newspaper.
