Last Saturday, Oct. 13, Sedona cross-country traveled to Phoenix to participate in the Skunk Creek Wash-O’Connor Invitational.

The Sedona Red Rock News interviewed Scorpions cross-country coach and math teacher Whitney Miley on how the team performed and the upcoming meet.

How did the team prepare for this meet?

We have been running much longer distances. My athletes’ confidence levels have risen now that they realize what they are capable of.

What would you say the team has improved on the most so far?
Perhaps the attitudes of the freshman, not knowing they could do this in the beginning; however, every athletes’ 5K times have improved significantly.

Shota Yabuuchi placed fifth as a freshmen, why do you think he was able to perform so well?
Shota Yabuuchi has displayed much dedication since day one. He is the sole athlete who has not missed a single practice nor single meet — with Cheyenne only missing one practice, recently. His attitude has been a “can do” attitude also since day one, even though he really did not know the depth of the running he would have to do. He basically just does it without question. He goes out on his practice runs and always gives his best then at the race meets, it shows.
Cheyenne Javey came in fourth, what do you think that says about her as a runner?
Cheyenne has been doing consistently great. She set a goal from the beginning of the season and has worked very hard to get there. She has attended every practice and meet [until recently, she has to miss one practice but other than that recent miss, she is at everything]. Additionally, she is my captain and is 2nd in charge and has stepped up when the situation presents itself.

How will the team prepare for Saturday’s meet?
We have been increasing our practice distances which has shown to work in a successful way. It is tough when the athletes are physically doing the long distance with hills, etc., but it really shows when they have their moments to shine at the meets.

What are your expectationsfor this upcoming meet?
All athletes have shown much improvement since the beginning of the season and most have progressively
improved their times in subsequent meets. I don’t expect anything less. This little team of ours is awesome.

How has your first season as the Sedona coach been?
I am thrilled that Don Burton asked me to take over high school cross country. I coached soccer years ago — I mean years — and have assisted in track a lot so getting back into coaching has been the best. I missed it.

How do you push the kids in practice without tiring them out late in the season?
We started a gradual increase along the way which is key. I have had much mentoring too from Coach Harry Schneider.

How do you motivate the kids to go out and give it their all every time?

Well, this little team of ours had bonded since the very beginning. They all cheer each other on during practice and at meets. We have had lots of fun along the way too with surprise water balloon attacks, running in the storms, telling jokes, spending time running then playing in the creek. There have been gift cards awarded for certain things … and fruit chews at the completion of every practice. The team even made up a team chant about my fruit chews, love it. Honestly, it is such a great team.

Does the shift in weather make running any more difficult or no?
No, we adjust it … can’t control mother nature.
Sedona’s next meet is Saturday, Oct. 20, when the Scorpions travel to Prescott for the Bradshaw Mountain Invitational.