On Your Marks: Fontbonne’s Track and Cross Country Teams Get Set for the Season

Katherine Clare ‘29

After a record breaking season last year, Fontbonne’s Track and Cross Country teams are ready to return to the track with bigger goals, and their hearts set on the finish line. With new challenges ahead, the team is ready to pick up where they left off and continue breaking records, winning races, and making Fontbonne History. 

Mr. Loftus, who has coached the Cross Country and Track teams for three years, is well aware of the tough competition and challenges that are yet to come. As a former XC and track runner himself, Loftus was ecstatic when he was asked by Miss Strong to take on the role of the coach. 

With bigger goals in mind, Loftus is ready to prepare the team to take on the season with an open mind, and plans to help all athletes stay competitive in order to have another successful season. “It's gonna be difficult to follow up last year because of the great success we had, so we have a large task ahead of us,” Loftus said.

Despite the challenges that they may face, the team has many strengths heading into the season. According to Mr. Loftus, building off of a record breaking season is a huge advantage for the team. To prepare and stay active for this upcoming season, the athletes attend regular weekly practices to improve their stamina, running techniques, and proper pacing skills, helping them stay focused and motivated.

For the team captains – Hala Saleh, Lauren Hickman, and Anaiah Fowlkes – success means more than winning races or breaking school records. They hope the team can grow as individuals and as a collective, while breaking personal and team records. As captains, Hala, Anaiah, and Lauren agree that their leadership goes beyond their performance on the track. They will work alongside Coach Loftus to help motivate the team and lead by example.  

“Being a captain means being someone my teammates can look up to and count on. It’s about setting an example and supporting everyone,” said Hala. 

Lauren shares similar goals for the team, and recognizes the significance of hard work and dedication. She hopes that all athletes will push themselves to be the best they can be in order for the team to succeed collectively. 

“I think our team’s biggest goal this season is to push ourselves to be better than we were last year as a team and as individuals. We want to see our hard work pay off and beat our PRs from last season,” Lauren said. 

Anaiah also emphasizes the importance of team chemistry in order for the team to thrive and encourage each other. “I would say we have really good chemistry. Everyone is willing to work together, and they're willing to encourage each other, and I'd say we have a really good mindset as well,” Anaiah said.

The focus of teamwork and commitment is shared by all runners. Alexi Medina, a sophomore on the team, believes that it is the friendships we make that help us succeed. “I’m most excited to accomplish growth side by side as a team, and to experience winning together,” Alexi said.

As the Fontbonne Track and Cross Country teams step into the season with new friendships, goals in mind, and records to beat, they are determined to build on last year’s accomplishments while making this year more successful. With supportive teammates, determined captains, a hard working coach, and desires of improvement, both teams are ready to continue making Fontbonne history.