The Hudson Explorers boy’s cross country team has had a promising start to their season. Every Saturday, these runners put their hard work into play and it’s easy to see that it has been paying off. On September 13, the boys varsity team placed first at the Jackson Invitational. The team was led by senior Crew McDaniel who was first overall to cross the finish line with a flashing time of 15 minutes and 14 seconds. But it didn’t stop there, the week prior the boys took the win at the Wooster Invitational, with an impressive freshman 5k record of 16:22 set by Liam Kunth. This team has seen tough competition the past few weeks, and there’s even more challenges to come, but their future as a team seems brighter than ever with success among every corner. Let’s take a deep dive into the lives of these hardworking athletes and what they do to create the team they have made today.
Senior Oscar Havens has been running cross country for all four years of high school and he gives insight into how the boys have maintained being such a competitive team this fall. According to Havens, “The Hudson cross country team is so successful because we all support each other to get through any challenges we face as a team.” It can be hard as a runner to always have the dedication and motivation it takes to keep going even when you want to stop, the team’s ability to build each other up and work together everyday plays a crucial role in how these athletes maintain their status.
After their last season, every athlete faces a bittersweet feeling of both accomplishment and grief over leaving behind the sport they love the most. According to Havens, “The thing I will miss most about cross country is the bond I have with all the boys on the team. My favourite memory from my cross country career was running a 17:43 junior year,” setting his personal record. Haven’s speed along with his spirit and love for this sport are qualities that make him such a great asset to the team.
Senior and D1 Commit Crew McDaniel is the captain of the boys Cross Country team and his work ethic has proven itself with each coming race. According to McDaniel, the boys have a “very promising post season ahead of us. If we can stay healthy and keep working towards the end goal the team should be able to place really high and possibly even win states.” With what this team has brought to their courses over the past few weeks, a success at states seems like a propitious outcome for the 2025 season.
Although McDaniel makes the intense weekly mileage look easy, there have been countless obstacles and challenges that he has had to work tirelessly to overcome. One of the biggest challenges that McDaniel has had to face as an individual is any runner’s worst nightmare… blisters. “A challenge I faced throughout the season is blisters on my heel that tear open whenever I race.” This has made running and maintaining a fast pace even more difficult than it already is, but McDaniel always shows up for himself and endures the pain nonetheless. He explains how he overcomes this issue by “making sure to take care of it whenever it hurts and now I don’t have the issues I did at the start of the season.”
McDaniels 5k times and commitment to running Division 1 Cross Country along with Track and Field are impressive successes that many athletes can only dream of. So how did he really become the athlete he is today?
Well, according to McDaniel, “Some components that have made me the athlete I am today are my parents who always push me to be the best I can. As well as my coach who is there at every practice and meet and wants to help even if I’m not running good that day.” McDaniel also has a special place in his heart for all of his teammates who are with him every step of the way. “My team goes through the same pain Monday through Saturday working out together, racing together, and getting closer. I race not just for me but for the people behind me who work hard everyday for the team”
McDaniel is a pivotal member of the boys cross country team, not just with his athletic abilities but also with the positivity and determination he shows up to practice with everday.
Overall this team’s hard work and dedication they bring to every race is getting them more and more victories with each coming race. Between the summer miles, the after school long runs, and the workouts in the hot sun these boys have an impressive level of discipline that makes them the team they are today. HHS can’t wait to see what else this team has to offer with the coming weeks and future seasons.
