Boys cross country head coach Steve Canfield is trying hard this year to improve the team despite the loss of a couple seniors and harder competition.

The team is working harder this year trying to run more during the week. Canfield said, “This year we are trying to get in 40 miles a week. This can get tough though because of race days on Saturday we won’t have that day to get in more mileage.”

Canfield is also making sure they do more speed days. He said, “We are working more on strength and speed days during the week so we are always touching on speed.”

Canfield also scheduled some different meets this year for the team so they can run against different competition. He said, “We decided to change our first meet to Solon and use it as a time trial, and mid season we are running at VASJ instead of Gallion so we can go to an easier meet, against a less challenging field of teams, but we kept the rest of the season the same.”

This year Canfield says will also be tougher, because of the competition. Canfield said, “It seems like the competition gets tougher every year. I wish we had last year’s team this year because its more competitive and there are more good teams than last year. It is definitely more competitive this year.”

The competition might be tough, but Canfield does have faith in his team. He said, “The goal is always to advance to the regional meet, and I think we can accomplish that this year, it’ll take more effort without a big gun up front, but I think we can do it.”

Canfield knows what needs to be done to go to the Regional meet. He said, “To make it again to the regional meet the team will have to be peaking at the right time, we have to get used to the team first philosophy, and now it will be tougher because Shaker was added to our district, I hope if the team does not make it, it’s not from lack of effort.”

The district might be tough, but Canfield thinks the team ranks pretty well in their conference this year. He said, “Id say in our conference it will be between us and Chardon for third place. It will come down to who’s sixth or seventh man is stronger for us or Chardon.”

The two teams in front of Mayfield to Canfield are really good teams. He said, “Kenston is definitely number one they have a great group of guys, and Riverside is number two they have an amazing guy up front, and a decently good team”

Senior Justin Arnold knew he had to train for this season to improve his times so the team would be better. He said, “Over the summer I ran very consistent mileage, created a game plan, and stuck to it.

Arnold also knew he had to challenge himself this summer to really improve. He said, “I really challenged myself as an athlete this summer to achieve my goals and high hopes.”

Another senior on the team Bobby Godnavec is changing the way he runs in practice to help the team improve their score in meets. Godnavec said, “Knowing that many seniors left I told myself I need to score higher in the races. To do this I have to try in practice, run with the faster guys, and do more reps in workouts.”

Arnold agrees with Canfield and thinks the team has a good chance at making regionals this year. He said, “I strongly agree with coach. I think the team’s hard work and dedication will pay off in the end.”

Godnavec also agrees with coaches statement and thinks because of the way the coach is pushing them will help them make it. He said, “I think coach is correct to say we will make it to regionals this year. I say this mostly because of the way he’s been pushing us in practice.”