By Bobbie Barnhart
Student Writer

The notion of effort isn't effort until it begins to hurt," philosopher Jose Ortega y Gassett once said, and according to Morgan County High School Cross Country Coach Brandon York, the words workwell to inspire perseverance in his runners.

The Cross Country team at MCHS consists of 16 runners; eight boys and eight girls. Among the boys, one team member transfered from Loganville, one is a a former middle school cross country runner and another runner, Chris Clyde, has been performing well for the team.  Although the girls have no transfers, they still have excellent runners. They include senior, Shanae Boswell, and sophomores Alex Adams and Camilla Dartnell. Will Adcock, Griffen Gardner, Tyler Jennette, Leonel Mendoza, Elizabeth Newton, Brad Owens, Grant Phelps, Jared Rector, Annabeth Spence, Coleman Thrift, Jordyn Utley and Sara Kate Vice make up the team.

Adcock, a four-year runner, says, "Cross country is the toughest  sport next to football." Jordyn Utley, who has been running crosscountry for two years, says, "This season should be pretty good. All ofour runners are good."

When asked about the outlook for the season, Coach York stated, "If everyone stays healthy, I think we will do well." The MCHS Cross Country team runs five miles at practice. Sara Kate Vice, also a two-year runner, remarked, "I like running cross country because it's something that everyone can do if they tell themselves they can."

The Cross Country team has had three meets so far. At East Jackson, Chris Clyde finished in 19.45, and Shanae Boswell, one of the girls' top finishers, finished in 24.07. Senior Will Adcock finished in 23.59, while freshman Griffin Gardner finished in 29.49.

Their next meet is Thursday, October 2 and they would really love more support at their meets. Like Coach York says, "Just to see someone gut it out is pretty powerful."