Cross Country coach Benjamin Schulz has high expectations for his runners in his first year as head coach.
“I want to create a culture of excellence where all my runners are giving their best each and every single day and are devoted to each other and the program as a whole,” Schulz said. “I feel cross country teaches athletes very important life long qualities of hard work, dedication and sacrifice.”
Schulz has run two marathons and over 35,000 miles. He also won two state championships and one national championship at The Woodlands High School.
“He likes to encourage us a lot,” junior Jacob Ayson said. “He tries to help us be better, so he’s pretty good. I really like him.”
The cross country runners are already striving to break personal records.
“I’m really just trying to get top three in JV,” sophomore Noah Del Rosario said. “Our team goal is to make state for varsity.”
Del Rosario has set a personal record for the 1 mile at 5 minutes and 30 seconds. Junior Jesse Rivas is set on trying to make varsity next year.
“I feel like the whole team has bonded more,” Rivas said. “Before we were not really talking much.”
This is Schulz’s fourth year coaching cross country in public school. He also feels that his boys and girls teams are firm contenders this season.
“I believe our girls have a great shot at being in the top four in the region and making it to the state meet,” Schulz said. “Our guys will be in the mix to hopefully make it to state as well.”
