The Lakeland Hawks boys’ Cross-Country team is having one amazing year. Cross-country sometimes does not get the recognition it deserves. The boys this year are not messing around, head coach Shannon Hall has said that the following boys are some of the fastest runners Lakeland has ever seen. This list includes:
-Charlie Mattila, 11th grader, 2nd fastest of all time for LHS with a 16:35 personal record for a 5k (3.1miles)
-Frank McCarthy, 10th grader, 3rd fastest of all time for LHS with a 16:40 PR for a 5k
-Parker Sterling, 10th grader, 4th fastest of all time for LHS with a 16:42 PR for a 5k
These stats are truly out of this world, and it’s all happening at once. Charlie Mattila still has his senior year left to take that 1st place record and Sterling and McCarthy have 2 more seasons left to break more records.
What is the key to success here?
“They know they have to put in their best effort each time they train if they want to make it to state this year, and we are seeing their hard work pay off with amazingly fast times at races,” Coach Hall said.
Working hard will always get you far in any sport and these boys are putting in their all every day.
Although these players are showing out this season, coaches are doing their part behind the scenes.
“Coach Mattila has done some slight shifting to our training regimen that has the athletes running at race pace more often, which allows the runners to get used to what it feels like to run that pace,” Coach Hall said.
Being able to adapt and overcome as a coach is huge for a team. Making some changes even if they are slight can make or break sometimes.
“She also introduced a video series where a sports psychologist for cross-country runners explains the benefits of various psychological strategies when it comes to preparing for and performing in races. A big thank you to the LHS Booster Club for providing the funds to purchase that video series,” Coach Hall said.
The different styles of coaching are sometimes not explored by coaches. These Lakeland Cross Country coaches are willing to step out farther than most and try new strategies to make their athletes just that much more successful on meet days.
Not only are the boys running to their best ability, the girls are having a great season as well.
“They are giving both Sandpoint and Moscow a run for their money this year,” Coach Hall said.
With both sides of the team being able to compete at high levels, it truly shows the dedication these athletes have been putting in all season long.
