Running, running, and more running: this is usually all people think about when they hear the words Cross Country.There’s a group of kids at Freedom who do have an abiding love for the thing most people dread: running. But that isn’t all they do. Cross Country is obviously a difficult sport which demands the participants to overcome unbearably aching muscles. When normal high school students stop running to catch their breath, these few members excel by not stopping. “In my mind, there’s nothing that requires more perseverance,” said Junior Noah Marks. Running is a passion for many of the team members, and practicing each day helps them get closer to their goal of improvement. For Freshman Danny Conrad, he has a different goal: a new Xbox. His goal, a new Xbox provided by his parents, is only achieved if he finishes a 5K race in less than 20 minutes. Most members of the Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country team run at least three miles per day, doing the monotonous task while their joints scream in pain. For some of the more dedicated participants, like Juniors Wes Roberts and Jake DeWeese, they will run up to 10 miles. Running isn’t the only thing they do, though. The Boys’ Cross Country team has a reputation for intense games of Frisbee golf and Ultimate Frisbee challenges. Though the games are fun, there is still a competitive edge in them. While playing in a friendly game of Ultimate Frisbee, first year member Evan Stiger even chipped his front tooth. Even though the Girls’ and Boys’ teams go to meets together, they are actually two completely different teams. Senior Natalie Snow said that the Girls’ team, coached by Mr. Ed Shepherd (Shep,) do other things together. The entire team went to the art club fundraiser and tie-dyed shirts together as bonding time. The participants of both Cross Country teams all run for different reasons, including earning prestige, getting a tan, hanging out with friends or just staying skinny. But what’s the number one reason to run? The coaches make a big impact on how the teams work. “We have the best coach in the world,” said Brock Adams. Mr. Stephen Tinker (Tink), is the Boys’ Cross Country coach, and said he is always looking for new members. If everyone in the student body doesn’t wish to join one of the teams, Tink would at least like them to acknowledge Cross Country’s existence by showing support at one of the upcoming meets. The Boys’ Cross Country team enjoys participating in the sport, and Roberts would even go so far as to say “[Cross Country] is one big analogy for life: uphill, downhill, pace, and pain.”