Woodbridge Middle School Kicks off their cross-country season competing to win another championship for their school

Woodbridge Middle School’s boys cross country teams consists of twenty-one runners who are all competing for that top seven spot. The top seven runners of every school in the district go head to head at the meet of champions which is at the very end of the five-race-season.

The boys coach, Mr. Eubanks, says that, “we exercise discipline with our athletes.” He also says that his only “expectations” for his team is for them to “give it their all” and for them to “keep improving”. So far, the boys cross country team have had two races, one against Fords Middle School and the other against Avenel Middle School.

Two of the top runners from the girls team, Ella Tom and Caitlin Mcnish, were able to answer a few questions. When asked how it feels to be a top runner and accomplish all of this at such a young age Mcnish responded, “It is very surprising to be considered one of the top runners.” Mcnish also plays other sports such as soccer and tennis and that cross country is building her stamina so that she can do more activities.

When Tom was asked she answered, “It feels nice to be up there in the top spot because usually not that many girls are active and people think that it’s just for the boys and I’m here to show them that it’s not”. Tom also does other sports such as basketball and softball and she also joined cross country to practice her running.

Mr. Salinas, the girls coach, had a few things to say about his team. When asked how long he has been coaching cross country he responded, “even years now and I focus my team on distance rather than speed.” Coach Salinas  says that he does that because “stamina builds confidence” and he wants them to be confident in their capabilities.

Noah Monsanto, a returning top runner from the boys team also answered a few questions. When asked how it felt to come back to cross country, he answered, “It feels good to come back because I love to compete.” We also asked Monsanto what he did for training because he is a two-time top seven runner, he answered “I run all day long to condition myself and build endurance.” Monsanto also plays tennis and says that, “cross country has helped me build stamina so that I can perform at the best of my ability.”

So far in this season Woodbridge Middle School is undefeated in both girls and boys races. For both races against Fords and Avenel there have been two people getting first overall at the races. The first place runner for the boys in both races was Jaydin Rose and the first place runner for the girls in both races was Maameyaa Nyinah

Salinas went on to explain his motivational tactics, “I let them all work together as a support system.” Coach Salinas also wants to give a shout out Ms. Wong and Ms. Rackett for running alongside the girls encouraging them every step of the way.

Administrator’s Note: Jaydin Rose is an editor for The Warrior Messenger and author of the cross-country articles.  Because he is writing the article and has placed first at every meet, I decided to interview him.

8th grader, Jaydin Rose, has placed first in each meet thus far despite the fact that he did not run for the team last year.  His meteoric rise can be attributed to “hard work”, says Coach Salinas.  Rose agrees that his success is dependent upon hard work; he says, “I do running drills, suicides, and run stairs at the high school to strengthen my core.  I also enjoy jogging with ear buds for fun to improve my endurance.”

 
Rose also imparted advice to future athletes that have talent, but aren’t sure about joining a team, “ Give it a try, you never know if you will succeed until you try.”  He went on to explain, “There is no way to fail because you can only get better.”  Rose plans on bringing his leadership and enthusiasm for the sport to high school and, “hopefully college” where he “wants to perform to the best of his ability.”