“How fast can you run? Faster than a leopard!” is the slogan of the Kent Boys Cross Country team. While running faster than a leopard is clearly an exaggeration of the human running capability, it reflects the fighting spirit and ambition of the boys cross country athletes. For many, joining the cross country team is a life-changing experience.

One of the captains, Cooper LeBlanc, shares, “joining cross country is a character building experience, because it builds mental toughness while developing each runner into a serious athlete. The most important thing I’ve taken away from cross country is the importance of pushing one another in a race for the benefit of the whole team.”

Finishing strongly in the New England Championship last season, the boys cross country team has plenty of momentum coming into the current season. However, “the 2017 season is going to be something of a rebuilding year, after losing a number of very talented seniors from this past school year,” according to head coach Mr. Sokolnicki, “that said, with around 50 boys on the roster, we certainly have depth.” After doing really well as a team at the New England Championship for a number of years, the pressure is certainly on the boys to impress at the competition again this season.

Coach Sokolnicki adds, “What we need to work on, as demonstrated from our early week scrimmage and our first two races, is our speed and determination in a race. I’m very pleased with the talents of the young men that have joined or returned to the program. With the hard work, patience and focus that the boys have put in, I’m confident that we will see significant improvements in individual performances as the season progresses.”

Many people picture cross country as a grueling struggle, but it can be fun too. The most unique event in the cross country team is the captain’s run held on Fridays, in which the captains pick a creative theme, and the boys can choose to dress up and bring along crops related to that specific theme. For instance, past captain’s run included wearing a toga costume or spandex tights, having pillow fights while running, and dressing up formally for the annual prom run with the girls team. In a way, the captain’s run have added variety and humor to the team, not to mention that it is the perfect way to finish off a week of hard work.