Going the Extra Mile

Photos Courtesy of B. Moore

by Aubrey West staff writer

Putting the spotlight on two of Central’s oldest and most beloved sports: Track and Field and Cross Country

lexander Durocher ‘24, is a member of Central’s Cross Country and Track and Field teams. Durocher has found that his sport has highly infiltrated several different aspects of his life, including his mind. “Running is more like a mental sport,” he says. “You’re doing it because you have the mentality to run, you feel good about yourself, and when you accomplish something, you’re really proud of yourself, and you praise it.” When he first started out, his biggest worry was not fitting in or having a good time. Durocher claims that “the more you stick with the sport, and the more you become invested, you feel more comfortable.” Some people might not know what Cross Country is or what it’s about. Others might have no idea that there is a difference between Cross Country and Track and Field: Cross Country is running in more wilderness and taking more difficult trails and obstacles, whereas Track and Field is more “spectator-friendly and easier to view,” and consists of running on more of a flat surface. Team members are pushed to their limit every day to practice and expect the worst to happen, so it’s best to be prepared. Durocher also claims that when running and experiencing the mental and physical pain, athletes simply just have to deal with it sometimes. When running, it takes a lot of encouragement and motivation, loss of breath, having to gain endurance, and giving it all in workouts. At the end of the day, runners are once again pushed to be at the top of their game and expect the most out of themselves. When it comes to traveling for out-of-town meets, student athletes are expected to miss school, which can be problematic for some students. In September, Durocher and his cross country team had to travel to Lansing during a full school day and did not get home until late at night. While this in itself appears problematic, the real problem is in whether or not the student possesses the responsibility and drive to stay on top of their school work and sports simultaneously. “It is easy for me in the beginning of the school year to make up for work from missed school. If it was more near the middle or end of the year, it would be more difficult

Ato be able to finish everything that I missed,” Durocher explains. In addition to taking control of his school life, Durocher has also noticed sports affecting his personal life. “It takes a good chunk of your free time. Unless you’re smart about it, you can fall behind in school.” Durocher and his team missed this year’s Patriot Game, one of the most popular events for Central students, when they traveled to Lansing. Being involved in a busy practice and meet schedule can cut into time spent with friends, family, personal hobbies, finishing any homework after school, and catching up on sleep. When it comes to the enjoyment of being a team member, Durocher has learned the value of making new friends, building a stronger mindset, and learning to feel good about himself. He explains that “sometimes you don’t feel productive because at one point, you can put so much time and effort into what you do “Running is more like and you can get nothing out of it, but succeeding feels good because a mental sport. You’re then you can feel proud of yourdoing it because you have the mentality to self.” Despite Durocher’s love for his sport and being on the team, there are some things that can create obrun.” stacles and interference. “If I have a bad day, then I will probably not have a good time at practice,’’ he reflects. However, Durocher still pushes himself so he can do his best and distract himself from the negative things. Over the years of his participation in Cross Country and Track and Field, Durocher has observed many changes. He has seen people join the program, and he has seen people leave the program, including new coaches coming in and old coaches stepping down. Alongside all of the changes that come with the sport, there will also be challenges that will make things harder. The further an athlete takes their journey with their sport, the more difficult, yet rewarding, it is for them. Durocher would “make it so we went to newer places because every time we do practice, we kinda have really repetitive workout areas, like East Shore, Bay Run, and Hickory. These are more boring areas.” Above all, the best part of being involved in these sports for student athletes is the feeling of accomplishment. //