Before race day, the whole cross country team, not including coaches, go to a teammate’s house to eat pasta. Yes, they go and enjoy pasta but they also enjoy more than that. They enjoy making fun memories, talking to new teammates, or even just hanging out. 

The team had their first pasta dinner two weeks ago at teammate Cayden Schultz’s house with the help of his parents, Erin Coleman and Christy Belcher. The most recent pasta dinner before the team’s race at Forest Park was hosted at Mr. Barnes and Mrs. Miller’s house with the help of the Wietbrocks and Mr Besowshek.

“I like to see how much the kids have fun and see them all interacting with each other,” Amy Wietbrock said.

These dinners are a fun experience for the team but the new freshman felt other emotions.

“I was kinda nervous because I didn’t know that many kids but the pasta dinner helped me get to know more people,” Lillian Schoenherr (9) said. 

A lot of new freshmen were nervous because it was their first ever pasta dinner with their new team. That didn’t stop them from making fun memories at the pasta dinners. Pasta dinners can be fun and enjoyable with your teammates. But does having your whole team in one house really help bring everyone together?

“It gives you opportunities to talk to people because you’re in a closer space than you usually are. At practice, you usually spread out and stuff, but the pasta dinners, you’re all in one house,” Nate Wietbrock (12) said. 

Pasta dinners are a great chance to bond as even more than just a team, but a family.

“I like how it’s team bonding, basically, and it’s more like a family event. Not a friend or team event,” Macailyn Townsend (9) said.

The team gives a special thank you to the parents that help out with these pasta dinners. These dinners and fun memories wouldn’t be possible without your help.