To be a successful cross country runner, it takes more than just being able to run races fast. In a sport where stamina is key, cross country takes dedication. One word to describe the 2024 Elkhorn High School Boys cross country runners is dedicated. This week we spoke with the six runners from Elkhorn that placed in the state competition last week on October 25.
Before making it to state, Elkhorn first had to do well in districts, which was especially competitive this season. On the boys side, junior Finn Hartman explains how intimidating the start lines were at this meet.
“[Districts] was my most nerve wracking race,” junior Finn Hartman said. “At the starting line I had a lot of butterflies and when I looked at the line Elkhorn North, Mount Michael, Plattsmouth, they’re all people to beat and then we pull out the W at the end.”
After capturing the district title, the team set its sites on preparation for the state meet. For freshman Brayden Romero and first-year runner Kellen Krivohlavek this would be their first time lacing up the spikes at state. However, junior runner Elias Eyler came into the competition with a calmer outlook.
“I wasn’t that stressed out,” Eyler said. “You know I’ve been there before, so I was confident.”
At state, Eyler and Krivohlavek placed in the top 50 runners. Romero and Hartman were within the top 40, and junior Garrett Barreras and sophomore Gerardo Hernandez-Tapia finished in the top 30. Although they all found success at state, Barreras points out the triumphs of Elkhorn on the whole as the season has progressed.
“We’re did well,” Barreras said. “We’re got stronger as a team, and we were productively better each time we ran.”
While the team has grown stronger throughout the season, personal records were achieved as well. Each runner had his own reasons for being on the team, like Krivohlavek who originally joined to help him prepare for this main winter sport.
“I joined so I could maybe lose some pounds for wrestling, because I’m trying to cut down,” Kellen Krivohlavek said. “This worked out pretty well, and I made varsity.”
For others, like Hernandez-Tapia, who had the team’s highest finish at state, the reason to stick with this grueling sport is to find an opportunity to relax.
“I just like the mental break it gives me,”Hernandez-Tapia said. “I like the team we have, too.”
Since none of these state-finishers are seniors, the team said they are looking forward to next year. While individual goals may vary, everyone is ready to get faster in the hope that next season will be the team’s best one yet.
“I’m excited for it,” Eyler said, “Our team is getting a lot better every year because we get new talent.”
