Cross-country brings unique challenges

The hilly and wooded Pine Valley trails, the often too-close encounters with wildlife, and the satisfying smack of shoe on ground … It must be cross-country season.

But this year, we had a bit of a unique snag. Oftentimes, first-day snags include unclear communication or some inconvenient weather. However, we got to start out the year dealing with “aggressive beavers.”

Yes, you read it right. The team met for the first day of practice in the MedExpress parking lot because the balance of power between the beavers and humans at Pine Valley had shifted slightly over the summer.

Fortunately, the beavers have now been trapped and relocated to another location far away from Pine Valley.

And so the season begins.

This year also brings new faces to both the team and the coaching staff. As always, the past year saw some of the older runners graduating, and new ones rising to take their place. The coaching staff also had a rare change, with coaches Mike Bushey and Jody Zeleznikar retiring, after leading the team for more than a decade. Chandra Allen, Ryan Zimny, Jamie Jazdzewski and Ed Martin stood before the nearly 60 student athletes for the first time Monday, and got a feel for the program they will be leading.

The run that followed brought back many memories for some of the young runners. The pitter-patter of a group of runners’ feet and the rhythmic inhale and exhale were like an old friend coming to visit. As everyone passed one another, the familiar shouts of encouragement rang throughout the woods as each group hit their stride. Every so often, a young runner could be spotted slowly pushing the pace and challenging the group to be a little faster, work a little harder, and get a little faster.

The first race is set for only a week-and-a-half away from the first practice, which makes the first week of training all the more important.

But looking at the students running around and eagerly waiting to take to the trails, I have a feeling that they’ll be ready.

Jordan Allen is a senior at Cloquet High School and a Pine Knot News summer intern.