Bulldogs country ready to get back on course in November
Murphy – While the high school cross-country season in North Carolina might be a little bit chillier than usual this year thanks to its delayed November starting time, the Murphy Bulldogs program is more than ready to hit the slopes of cross country courses this coming winter.
“The high school kids have been running since March and June, putting in some big miles,” Murphy cross-country coach Davis Bryant said of the program’s eagerness to start the season.
“We’ve had a great opportunity to build up miles and endurance, but it kind of has a good side and a bad side. After a while, kids get tired of all the training without being able to run in a race.”
High school cross-country programs in North Carolina will be able to officially hold practices starting on Nov. 4, just 12 days before the programs can start competing in contests for the year.
“That’s been the big change that we’ve been getting used to, how late everything has been pushed,” Bryant said of the delayed start to the cross-country season. “All of the training and everything has to be on a different schedule.”
Despite the fact that the cross country season will be taking place during winter this year, Bryant isn’t too concerned about his runners getting caught up in the cold weather – thanks to their experiences in the indoor “Polar Bear” track seasons.
“When we’re done with cross country, we usually go right into ‘indoor’ track,” Bryant said. “And everybody gets a chuckle out of that, but in this part of North Carolina we’re training in this weather and having track meets in this weather all year-round.”
This year, the NCHSAA decided against scheduling an indoor track season in North Carolina, claiming that the sport is too similar to outdoor track and field and that the organization wanted to make sure all sports got an even shot at playing this year.
While meets have been scheduled and the athletes are ready to run, Bryant said he’ll be holding his breath until the Bulldogs get the chance to start their season.
“I’m still holding my breath, until we get to the 18th and get to go to Robbinsville” Bryant said.
“The NCHSAA has done everything they can to give us a season and I know it’s different, but honestly I’m just thankful that we get to do something and the kids get to run.”