Soccer Makes Leaps Across Turf and Trail
As cross country season is now completely in the rearview, athletes are making bounds, both literally and metaphorically, in their athletic performance across teams. Being a concurrent player in multiple sports is proving to be a fulfilling test of dedication and commitment for our junior varsity and varsity soccer teams, who push and set new limits by joining the cross country team. As accredited by cross country and assistant soccer coach James Hoffner, many of these players demonstrate their tenacity inside and outside the field. Whether on turf or on trail, Lamar’s athletes are accomplishing feats quite unheard of.
Cross country practice consistently takes place as early as five in the morning, where runners race on natural terrain. Evidently, the sport is an extreme test of faith beside the already rigorous soccer training. Players on both teams demonstrate their eagerness to aspire and set new records, which becomes apparent in their strong performance.
On Craven’s Field, Lamar High School’s varsity soccer team can be seen hard at work, intensely preparing for wherever their next game may take them. Accounted by junior Noah Rather, the majority of the varsity team also participates in cross country.
“Cross country gets me in better shape, and it definitely gets me more disciplined,” He recounts, “For cross country, I want to PR [personal record] every week, and for soccer I want to win district.”
Rather actively displays clear passion as he describes his ambitions, his gaze juggling between the ball and the microphone. Despite the opportunity to boast his achievements, he remains dedicated to his craft and earnestly depicts his long-term goals, “I’m looking into and talking to college coaches about soccer in college, mainly Ohio State and SMU.”
Alongside Rather, freshman mid-fielder Joseph Escalante stuns the varsity soccer team with his enthusiasm in both soccer and cross country.
“I’ve been playing soccer since I was three years old, and I really want to play college-level at TCC or SMU,” Escalante explains, “Cross country has been helping with my performance, with my conditioning and my stamina.”
Having dedicated himself to soccer for over a decade, Escalante displays a level of appetite for the sport unseen before. Through his commitment to cross country practices and meets, he nurtures his appreciation for the game and for the results of his hard work.
As reported by Rather and Escalante, Coach Hoffner, marathon runner and hiker outside of school sports, recruited the soccer teams to join cross country for its physical and mental benefits. The mastermind behind it all, he exhibits complete vigor when describing what the athletes endure every morning, junior varsity soccer player Edwin Perez by his side.
“I truly believe cross country promotes a longer, sustained effort for the players, and it takes a lot of mental planning and effort,” Hoffner crosses his arms as he explains this, his sincerity evident through his demeanor, “And of course, it opens many avenues for them [the players], many think they have to choose one or the other, but they find they like both.”
Perez, an extremely active and spirited player in both cross country and soccer teams, adds on to Hoffner’s assertions, “Cross country really helps me with constantly showing up, and always putting in my one-hundred percent effort.”
The junior holds well-deserved accomplishments as he enters this year’s season, having run one hundred miles in the summer in preparation. Alongside his love for soccer outside of school, his fresh excitement for the sport is exactly what Lamar High School needs and is proud to already have. The addition of cross country conditioning integrated into the tenacious soccer practice proves to be a great residual for both the junior varsity and varsity soccer teams, fortifying physical and emotional strength.
