By AL SCHANK

As a member of the Cross country team I would like to say thanks. Thanks to the loyal fans, few though they may be, for supporting us this year. This year's cross country team has had a good year‑nine wins, one loss‑thanks to the hard working efforts of Coach Barringer and Coach Blake. Without them we would be nothing.

Cross country is an individual sport, yet it is at the same time a team sport. For the athlete who runs must fight to overcome himself before he can overcome opponents. A runner must fight the will to slow down because he is tired. He must constantly do the opposite of what his mind tells him to do. The runner has to have confidence and pride. This is where the team comes in.

The team builds confidence and pride. The coaches help to build this valuable asset too, but it is with the fans that the true responsibility lies. In a football game the players can hear the cheers from the sidelines while a runner often times must face two and three‑quarter miles of silence.

This Saturday seven of your fellow students will face 20 other schools at the State District Meet at Maine East. These seven boys have a hard job ahead of them. They have practiced for two months, some since the beginning of last summer. They don't know whether or not they can win, but with your support their chances for victory increase.

Again I want to thank all the loyal fans, and I hope that more will follow their example and support their teams.