Cross Country has started up again and South is doing better than ever. Since last year, both the boys and girls teams have shown considerable improvement and growth. The team has also regained a coach in Jeff Hess, South alumni and distance-running athlete, co-founder of IOP, and cross country coach from 2003-2018. 

“Coach Hess has obviously had quite a legacy at South years back, with many state championship titles and some individual championships, as well,” junior cross country runner Yosuke Skibata said. “I think everyone has built trust in his coaching based on how well the season is going so far, and we’re all excited to see what we can do.”

Already, South has been performing well at their meets. The Axe took home first place at the Ultimook race and at the Harrier Classic. At the Oregon City Invitational, the girls team earned first place, and the boys took second. 

“I think our team as a whole is really strong this year,” Shibata said. “Both the boys and girls teams have improved a lot, and many people who were injured last year have come back stronger. I think this year is going to be a special season.”

Between the teams, the girls team has seen a large gain compared to last season, thanks to the varsity team building on their past successes. 

“It’s really good,” senior cross country runner Alaya Drummond said. “Basically all of our varsity team has gotten better this season. We all broke 19 minutes in the 5k.”

While South has a lot to look forward to, they still have a ways to go until they can prove themselves at the state level. On Oct. 10, South will head up to Rose City to compete in the 5th Annual Rose City Championship Invite; they will then compete at districts on Oct. 29.

“As a team,” Shibata said, “we are looking to three-peat at districts on the boys side and do as well as we can on that day so we can carry that on to the state meet.”

Article by Oscar Guillemin