Chris Graugnard, business management freshman, has been practicing with the Cross-Country team since early August but already notices a significant difference between running in high school and in college.

“High school and college cross country are two completely different worlds nothing like I ever expected. Practice is more in-depth and is taken more seriously,” said Graugnard.

The freshmen have been practicing and participating in workouts with the team prior to classes starting to acclimate themselves to the differences of college running and become comfortable with their teammates.

According to Graugnard, the upperclassmen have helped make the transition as easy as possible.

They have gone out of their way to show the freshmen where things are located on campus and settling into their residential halls.

One particular exercise Graugnard says he isn’t accustomed to doing with distance and speed work is the pool workouts.

“None of us are actual swimmers, but we are doing our best to make it through,” he said. “It’s nice to try something different though.”

The pool exercises along with the usual distance and speed work are new methods Canegitta is trying this year.

The team gathers in the pool once a week for practice along with their other routine workouts.

Over the summer, Canegitta devoted several hours into selecting a number of freshmen to enlarge last year’s undersized team.

“Last year the numbers were low; therefore, the freshmen are making the team complete,” said Canegitta. “Also they are having a positive attitude towards coming to the team.”

While others were enjoying their summer vacations, Canegitta was developing relationships with the new members of Cross Country. The relationship between the coach and the freshmen reaches its highest point once the new members arrive for summer practice two weeks prior to school. 

As school began the freshmen took on an extra workload, practice did not lighten.

Practice begins at 6:30 a.m. every morning; however, Canegitta believes it’s a small price to pay to improve as a runner.

“A successful cross country athlete is dedicated and shows up for practice in spite of the fact its starts so early in the morning,” said Canegitta.

The new members are contributing to the team in numbers and performance. Canegitta has expectations for the team as well as for each individual. Although Graugnard wants to help the team in anyway possible, he has his own personal goals, expectations, personal best performances he would like to accomplish this year.

“Running a sub-30 is my personal goal” said Graugnard.

The team and Cangetti’s objective is to win the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference championship and then go to Nationals.

The team will participate in its next meet at the Azalea City Classic in Mobile, Ala. on Sept. 19. 

Brittney Holmes can be reached at [email protected]