Sophie Fisher Graduation year- 2027 Years on the Cross Country Team- This will be my third year for high school, fifth year overall. Other Sports or Activities You’re Involved In- I am also involved in Cheer, Track, Band, Student Council, Debate, Journalism, and NHS Favorite Subject or Academic Interest- My favorite class/subject is most likely debate because it is fun learning things that will help me in the real world. Post-High School Plans - After I graduate I plan to get my major in accounting but I am unsure what college. Cross Country Experience What inspired you to run cross country? My mom ran when she was in high school at White Oak and in sixth grade I hadn’t found a sport I just completely loved so that following year I tried XC and I have loved it ever since. What’s your proudest moment as a runner? My proudest moment as a runner would be working to return for my sophomore season after my season was cut short for medical reasons. Personal Record (PR) for the 5K or 2 mile: My PR for the 2 mile is 14:39 at the regional meet. Your favorite race or course — and why: My favorite race is the twilight run at union grove. It was a new thing we did last year and I feel like it was a great way to start the season by bonding us more plus the majority of us are very familiar with the course. How do you mentally prepare for a race? On the way to a race I either nap or listen to music. The less I think about it the better. Before we all start we also pray so that helps ease my nerves and put the race in the Lord’s hands. What does being on the team mean to you? I think everyone I know I have told just how special this team is to me. It’s not in every sport or team that you are surrounded with people who genuinely care about you, your health, and also your faith. When we encourage each other it comes from the heart and that is something that you can’t be taught so I think being surrounded by a loving team and coach is what helps mold us into the runners and people we are. Who is your biggest inspiration (running-related or otherwise)? My biggest inspiration is my parents. They consistently show up for me and give me a life I am incredibly blessed with and I can truly say they are my best friends. Pump-up song before a race: I listen to a lot of country music so really anything upbeat from that genre helps. Pre-race snack, ritual, or superstition: Before a race I will eat one bag of gushers and I have to be wearing a pair of bombas socks. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not running? When I am not running I love hanging out with my friends (especially for pickleball), shopping, or playing more pickleball. Fun fact about you: A fun fact about me is this summer I worked for a mid American league baseball team. If you could run anywhere in the world, where would it be? If I could run anywhere in the world I would say either the Disney Half Marathon or somewhere in the mountains. I follow a runner named Lexi Watts and she posts races in places like these and it looks so fun. Favorite motivational quote or verse: My favorite motivational verse is Galatians 1:10, “ For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” I love this verse because when we give God the race put in front of us both literally and spiritually he can move in so many ways we never would have thought.

Maddie Hart Graduation year: 2029 Years on the Cross Country Team: First year on the High School team. 3 years total Other Sports or Activities You’re Involved In: Softball, Basketball, Volleyball, Favorite Subject or Academic Interest: Math or Journalism Post-High School Plans (e.g. college, career goals) play college softball then become a nurse. Cross Country Experience What inspired you to run cross country? My mom ran it when she was younger What’s your proudest moment as a runner? Winning district last year Personal Record (PR) for the 5K or 2 mile: 10:45 Your favorite race or course — and why: I like the union grove course because it was different and I thought it was fun. How do you mentally prepare for a race? I just tell myself to keep running and pushing myself. What does being on the team mean to you? It means that I have people that will always have my back Who is your biggest inspiration (running-related or otherwise)? Janea Jefferson because she wanted to play college softball and worked everyday to be able to play Pump-up song before a race: anything that is calming Pre-race snack, ritual, or superstition: Snack: granola bar Ritual: take a nap and wear my lucky tennis shoes What do you enjoy doing when you’re not running? Playing softball or basketball or doing art and taking pictures Fun fact about you: I’m in all advanced classes If you could run anywhere in the world, where would it be? Probably in Australia Favorite motivational quote or verse: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13

Cole Jordan Graduation year: 2028 Years on the Cross Country Team 3 years Other Sports or Activities You’re Involved In I’m involved in band, and track. Favorite Subject or Academic Interest Personally, I like math mostly. Post-High School Plans (e.g. college, career goals) I want to go to Baylor to become a dentist. I am also really thinking of becoming a priest at an Orthodox Church when I’m older and have my career. Cross Country Experience What inspired you to run cross country? At first, it was to get into shape, now it’s to present my body as a living sacrifice. Personal Record (PR) for the 5K or 2 mile: Your favorite race or course and why: I like the Union Grove relays, because they’re at night. I also really enjoyed leer park. How do you mentally prepare for a race? Cross myself 3 times and remember to push myself. What does being on the team mean to you? Helping others above yourself and moving as one. Who is your biggest inspiration (running-related or otherwise)? I don’t necessarily have any running inspirations, but I do have my biggest inspiration: the monks who labor themselves and work all throughout the day. They remind me to be strong. Pump-up song before a race: GUESS WHO? By Quadeca What do you enjoy doing when you’re not running? I love spending time with loved ones, and most importantly; prayer in my room. Hidden talent about you: I make music a lot of the time. If you could run anywhere in the world, where would it be? The hills of Ireland Favorite motivational quote or verse “Live as simply as you can. Don’t make your own lives difficult. Too many conveniences turn people into slaves.”

Logan Langewisch Graduation year-2026 Years on the Cross Country Team-6 Other Sports or Activities You’re Involved In-Baseball, Track, Band, FFA, UIL. Favorite Subject or Academic Interest-STEM, not because It’s just the most enjoyable thing ever, but it comes so much easier than literature etc. Post-High School Plans (e.g. college, career goals) I would love to go play college baseball as a pitcher, and pursue something in the math science area of a career. Cross Country Experience What inspired you to run cross country? Oddly enough, I think one of Campbell Sutton siblings ran it, causing him to join, and by doing so he asked me to do it as well, where I discovered my hidden talent. What’s your proudest moment as a runner? It’s not my PR, but something about the district race in 2024 (jr season) makes me proud, we had already ran at that course where we established it was a difficult course and I struggled to go low 19 there previously. At district I passed some mental block and ran a 18:40 something I think, securing a spot at regionals and over a 30 second course PR which made me very proud. Personal Record (PR) for the 5K or 2 mile: 17:15 Your favorite race or course — and why: I really miss the Mount Pleasant district course, definitely not my favorite due to a fastness, or a scenic aspect, it’s actually one of the harder courses, but I tend to have a soft sport for “nostalgic places”, and that course definitely checks that box. So it is my favorite, not by far though, there’s definitely some other memorable ones. How do you mentally prepare for a race? I’ve eaten pasta cooked by my mother the evening before every race without fail since I’ve started, and on the day of it has to be very precise, drink maybe a bottle of water/g-rade, eat a stinger waffle, but the number one rule for me, no peeing 2 hours before a race, it’s a guaranteed side stitch every time without fail. And of course, music I always have my beats. What does being on the team mean to you? It’s a way to bond with a group of kids that I most likely wouldn’t have found myself with outside of cross. I’m definitely a social person, but one of my lacking, is I don’t really go outside of my shell that much, I have no problem talking to unfamiliar people, but I just choose not too more than I’d like to admit. But sports like cross country helps me meet new people, and at this point in my life make memories with very close brothers and sisters while all fighting the same battles. Who is your biggest inspiration (running-related or otherwise)? David Goggins, (controversial) he may be somewhat harsh, and pretty blunt, but his message is very good and he gets his points across very clearly. His Joe Rogan experience really assured that for me, that he wasn’t just a psycho dude running 300 miles. He is just extremely mentally hardened. (Honorable mentions: Jocko Willink, and Nikko’s dad) Pump-up song before a race: One that never really gets old is the, Pursuit of happiness, by kid kudi, but a lot of times it’s just David Goggins telling me I’m a lazy slob. Pre-race snack, ritual, or superstition: The every pre race evening pasta. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not running? I would say baseball, but that’s not necessarily just free time spent, but my absolute favorite hobby is fishing, I love fishing. Some other ones are listening to music actually, I’ll listen to music for hours at a time, I workout consistently, video games occasionally, the anatomy of computers interests me, and a random one, I love sitting around a campfire with my close buddies, something about that you just can’t re-create. Especially after… a long day of fishing LoL. Hidden talent or fun fact about you: I know how to build computers, and I’m an only child. If you could run anywhere in the world, where would it be? I want to run somewhere where I could close my eyes and just run in a straight line for as long as I want, no traffic, potholes, anything to lookout for. The only place I feel could possible recreate that is maybe some Kansas backroad. Favorite motivational quote or verse:Proverbs 27:17, As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend. I feel like this speaks to me in a XC sense. We’re a brotherhood of people fighting the mental battles of one of the most physically and mentally grueling sports, and without strong minded teammates, you have a weak minded team. That, though does not apply to us as we are all supportive and motivate each other all the time.

Nathan Stringer Graduation year: 2028 Years on the Cross Country Team 3 Other Sports or Activities You’re Involved In Basketball, Track, UIL Favorite Subject or Academic Interest Math Post-High School Plans (e.g. college, career goals) Go to college and become a Petroleum Engineer Cross Country Experience What inspired you to run cross country? I felt I was good at running so I wanted to do something I was good at What’s your proudest moment as a runner? Getting a 5:30 mile Personal Record (PR) for the 5K or 2 mile: 18:41 Your favorite race or course — and why: NorthEast Texas Community College in Mr. Pleasant, I ran it twice in middle school and always did good on it How do you mentally prepare for a race? I tune out outside noise and just think about the race What does being on the team mean to you? I get to compete with and against my teammates and be part of a community Who is your biggest inspiration (running-related or otherwise)? My biggest inspiration for running isn’t a person it’s the discipline that I get from running Section 3: Fun & Personality Pump-up song before a race: I don’t like to have distractions before a race Pre-race snack, ritual, or superstition: I always have lemons or limes the morning before a race, I think citrus is good for my mind before a race What do you enjoy doing when you’re not running? Practicing for other sports or studying for UIL Hidden talent or fun fact about you: I’m the youngest in my grade If you could run anywhere in the world, where would it be? Mt. Fuji marathon Favorite motivational quote or verse: Isaiah 40:31 “But the people who trust the Lord will become strong again. They will rise up as an eagle in the sky; they will run and not need rest; they will walk and not become tired.”

Ally Tatum Graduation year 2026 Years on the Cross Country Team Going into 3rd Other Sports or Activities You’re Involved In Track and Dance Favorite Subject or Academic Interest English Post-High School Plans (e.g. college, career goals) Get my real estate license along with a marketing degree. Become a real estate agent Cross Country Experience What inspired you to run cross country? Nathan Watson What’s your proudest moment as a runner? Making it to regionals my first year Personal Record (PR) for the 5K or 2 mile: 12:34 Your favorite race or course and why: Quitman because its a PR course How do you mentally prepare for a race? Pray What does being on the team mean to you? It means being surrounded by my best friends and biggest supporters Who is your biggest inspiration (running-related or otherwise)? My mom Pump-up song before a race: Anything off of my Christian playlist Pre-race snack, ritual, or superstition: I am very superstitious. Every night before my race I will lay out all of my stuff in a certain order in the same corner of my room, then I will lay my bible on top of it and pray over all of my stuff. Then I don't touch any of it, and when I wake up in the morning the first thing I do is pray over it again before getting ready. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not running? Dancing, shopping, working out, and anything that involves water Hidden talent or fun fact about you: Im left handed If you could run anywhere in the world, where would it be? Probably in the mountains of Colorado Favorite motivational quote or verse: Isaiah 41:10 “For do not fear for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Cooper Tucker Graduation year: 2027 Years on the Cross Country Team Overall - 5 High School - 3 Other Sports or Activities You’re Involved In Track, tennis, debate, journalism, UIL Spelling and Current Events Favorite Subject or Academic Interest Biology Post-High School Plans (e.g. college, career goals) I want to go to college to be a surgeon. Cross Country Experience What inspired you to run cross country? My sister ran cross country and I thought it seemed fun watching her compete so I wanted to try. What’s your proudest moment as a runner? My proudest moment is making it to regionals last year. Personal Record (PR) for the 5K or 2 mile: 5k record is 18:46 and my 2 mile in track is 10:48 Your favorite race or course — and why: My favorite race was the Union Grove Twilight Relay race because I was able to race with my teammates and we dressed out in all neon so it was very fun. How do you mentally prepare for a race? I mentally prepare by trying not to think about the race at all. If I think about it I tend to psych myself out so I go cheer on the girls or jv so it keeps my mind away from everything. What does being on the team mean to you? Being on the team meets a lot to me because since we’re a small team we’re really close and we get to do a lot of fun things that some of the other bigger teams don’t get to do. Who is your biggest inspiration (running-related or otherwise)? My biggest running inspiration is my sister because she was very successful in her track and cross country career. She also has the best work ethic I’ve ever seen not only in running but in her everyday life. Pump-up song before a race: I don’t specifically listen to one song but I like Sam Barber and Chris Stapleton. Pre-race snack, ritual, or superstition: We always have gushers and we all do our part to make sure they’re gone before the meet ends. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not running? I like playing tennis and hanging out with my family. Hidden talent about you: I can name any country on a map or their flags. If you could run anywhere in the world, where would it be? I would want to run through Iceland because I’ve always wanted to visit and it wouldn’t be that long of a run. Favorite motivational quote or verse: “Success isn’t how far you got but the distance you traveled from where you started.” -Steve Prefontaine

Nathan Alexandre Watson Graduation year: 2026 Years on the Cross Country Team: Since 7th grade, 6 years Other Sports or Activities You’re Involved In: Track Favorite Subject or Academic Interest: definitely science or English Post-High School Plans (e.g. college, career goals): Milestone College to study ministry and leadership and get a ministry degree Cross Country Experience What inspired you to run cross country? Coach Bucher and I thought it was running across the country What’s your proudest moment as a runner? Breaking 20 minutes at Union Grove last year in the 3 mile Personal Record (PR) for the 5K or 2 mile: 5k: 19:21. 2 mile:12:11 Your favorite race or course — and why: Bbrook Hill. The scenery is so nice but that hill kills me or Hallsville. I really like how it's always in the woods. How do you mentally prepare for a race? I just really think about the course. Thinking about the hard parts and creating a plan in my head. Then I say a quick prayer before the starter starts. What does being on the team mean to you? What being on the team means for me is family and bond. We have a really tight team bond on the cross country team that I have never really seen any other team have except us. Who is your biggest inspiration (running-related or otherwise)? Jesus. I always strive to do everything in his strength and when I get tired I pray on the spot for strength Pump-up song before a race: Kill the Lights by Hidden Citizens Pre-race snack, ritual, or superstition: honey stinger gummies or a spoonful of honey What do you enjoy doing when you’re not running? Going to church, playing games, playing pickleball, hanging out with my friends Hidden talent or fun fact about you: I really like to see people win. I really love to celebrate wins with people and to see them succeed in what they work for. I love to help people and meet them where they're at. If you could run anywhere in the world, where would it be? The British countryside. It's so beautiful and green and there's a lot of sheep Favorite motivational quote or verse: Matthew 6:10 “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” I like it because it puts my focus on what the Lord wants and what He is planning for me. I just have to submit to His plan.