Sports are an important part of every high school’s community, but for some students on North’s cross country team it’s not just about the sport.

   “It’s very fun and it’s all really personal. We all know each other and we always talk and laugh. Before our practices we’ll all sit together and talk about everything and nothing at the same time, and then hang out. It’s always super fun and positive. Just awesome all around. It’s really welcoming and we’re always really excited to see each other,” sophomore Rudorwashe Nziramasanga said.

   Cross country is a no-cut sport, meaning that anyone who wants to be on the team can be on the team. There’s no pressure for new runners to place, and there’s no competition around keeping your spot on the team.

     “The teamwork and sportsmanship is really nice. Getting to run around with your friends and just have fun with them is honestly the best part,” junior Nathan Haberlach said.

   Cross country brings students together and creates a community of students who are connected through their shared love of running. They engage in team bonding activities like relay races, hide and seek, football, tag, and more.

   “The girls are really fun and just really close. We’ve been bonding together through running and other activities. Honestly just running together is a really good bonding experience in itself. We like to run out and get in a circle before meets and share our goals for the race that day, or just anything we hope to achieve,” junior Adelyn Hilton said.

   The runners seem to have fostered tight-knit friendships with their fellow teammates, encouraging each other before every race and supporting each other throughout the season. These relationships make the team strong and encourage everyone to do better.

   “It’s less about the running and more about the community,” Hilton said.