Sedona cross country participatedin the Bradshaw Mountain Invite Cross Country Meet on Saturday, Oct. 20.

The Red Rock News had a chance to speak with cross country coach and math teacher Whitney Miley as the team prepares for qualifiers.

With the state qualifiers in two weeks, will practice change at all?

We have been gradually increasing our mileage and that will remain in place.

What are your expectations heading into the state qualifier?
I have a couple athletes who have a great chance of qualifying and quite honestly, I am so darned proud of all my athletes this season. Everyone has improved significantly and some continue to reach their personal record’s with consecutive meets.

What does Cheyenne Javey’s medal say about her as a runner?
Cheyenne set a goal to make it to state this season and she has a great chance … not only that, she has worked very hard to attempt to attain her goal.

From preseason to now, how have you seen Cheyenne Javey progress as a runner?
Cheyenne was the only athlete on the team who shared that she actually did work out this summer. So, she began the season being in some kind of shape. She has taken that seriousness of working out in the summer when a lot of teens, athletes do not … and applied that seriousness into her competitions. Cheyenne has also gone out of her way to step up as team captain.

Being that your team is so young, how much more do you think they can improve before they graduate?
Indeed, we do have a young team. I have been very impressed by my freshman this year. Shota Yabuuchi has blown us out of the water by his consistent performances during practice and at meets.
Caleb Moyer has shown much maturing since the beginning and taking competition more seriously and his work outs went from not really thinking he can do this to running with the top runners at practices.
Jack Pierce has shown improvements in every race he has competed in and always has a positive attitude and Sedona Sturgeon, although wound up with an injury, has continued to show up for all practices and meets and has continued to train with a load that her injury could handle.

Is it challenging to coach such a young team or has it been relatively easy?
I thought perhaps it would be more challenging that it actually
turned out to be. The team of athletes have really gelled together as a little family so that the more experienced runners took the freshman under their wings. It has really worked well.
Once the season is over, will the team continue practicing or how will they stay in top form? We were just talking about that yesterday, in fact. Technically, yes, but I offered to the athletes if they wanted to meet up once a week or so that I would be available for them. It is up to them.

Have your expectations for the runners increased as the season has progressed?
Yes, every runner has shown much improvement as the season has progressed and so with that being said, I can’t let them stagnate … they must continue onward and upward.
Qualifer
The Division 3 Section 4 cross country qualifiers begins at 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 2, at Hidden Cove Golf, hosted by Holbrook High School will host the qualifiers. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students with a high school ID, active military and senior citizens aged 62 and over.
Children age 5 and younger are admitted for free.