Cross country is a fun sport, but there is a lot happening behind the scenes with two people in particular that are helping out. These people are the team’s managers. They assist the team and everyone is happy to have them around.
One of these people is manager Jimenez Turner (11). Turner ran cross country as a freshman and sophomore and he started this season like the last two. As an athlete, but injuries led to him not being able to finish it. So instead he wanted to help out the team in another way.
“I like getting to help out and see everyone,” Turner said. Even though he said “running is my favorite part about cross country,” he loves being able to help. Turner explained that his job is fairly simple; they help boost team morale and get mile splits during meets.
When managing cross country, it is a lot of responsibility. For Alana Grana (10), it was way different. She had a stress fracture in her femur making her incapable of doing any sports for months without full breaking it. So still wanting to be on the team, she decided to be manager. Even though she couldn’t run, she still was able to manage and be there at just about every meet.
It’s her first year managing but last year she was able to run one meet. As a manager, Grana gets to do a lot. For example, she gets to help with “getting splits and making sure everyone is where they need to be.” Some managers miss running, but for Grana, she loves her role on the team. She said she would rather be manager than run.
When asking what her favorite meet to watch, she said “Gans 100%.” Gans Creek is a meet in Columbia that the team runs each year.
At the end of the day, both Turner and Grana love managing and can’t wait to keep going, but we know they both want to run so hopefully soon they will be able to again. Everyone appreciates them so much like runner Nate Wietbrock (12).
“I mean it’s not the first time we’ve had managers, but I think it’s good that we have them they help in the meet to get splits,” Wietbrock said.
The coaches are also grateful to have some help. Coach Dupske is one of these people.
“The managers are a great addition to the team. Not only for team morale but to help like support our teammates,” Dupske said. “They also help take splits, pick up clothes at the start line, and kind of whatever we need done while the kids are racing.”
