Varsity Cross-Country Team Races Ahead with Midseason Skill Boost

As the Sedona Red Rock High School cross-country team progresses through the season, coach Cody McKesson emphasizes the growth and development of the athletes. “Everyone’s improving a lot, and everyone is on track to hit the personal records they set for themselves,” he stated on Thursday, Sept. 26. With the first half of the season focused on conditioning, the team is now poised for significant advancements in performance.

Among the standout runners is senior Nic McAtee, who is making impressive strides in his inaugural year. McKesson noted that McAtee ran in the 22- to 23-minute range during a recent race, a remarkable feat for someone new to long-distance running. “It’s been a blast,” McAtee reflected on his experiences with the team. “We have lots of fun just going on the meets.”

McAtee, however, is also determined to meet his competitive goals. Currently, his personal record sits in the 21-minute range, and he aims to improve further. He explained, “I always just want to improve myself. Obviously, the person that I’m fighting is not the person next to me — it’s just me.” Despite facing challenges with right calf pain due to inadequate shoe support, he remains focused on qualifying for state finals and continuing his improvement.

Another promising athlete within the team is junior Chokyi Carstens, who began his season with a time in the low 20-minute range. He has since shaved his time down to an impressive 19 minutes and 30 seconds. Carstens expressed, “I run because I enjoy it. Running has always been my favorite.” Yet, he seeks further competition, setting ambitious goals of running a sub-18-minute race by the year’s end and ultimately achieving a time under 17 minutes in his senior year. He plans to train diligently, emphasizing that running is a central focus of his life.

Despite his success, Carstens encounters his own hurdles. He struggled during a recent meet where he fell from leading the pack to 19th place upon facing a challenging hill. Nonetheless, his diligence continues to pay off, and he is on track to qualify for state finals.

In contrast, junior Aubrie Doyle initially faced setbacks this season, running in the 24-minute range in her first race. With hard work, she has since improved to a time of 22 minutes and 52 seconds, just two seconds shy of her previous best at the state finals. Doyle noted that she is “at a pretty good place,” highlighting her growth potential.

Her primary goal remains qualifying for state; yet, Doyle also excels academically, maintaining straight A’s. She acknowledges the heat in Sedona and the nearby Phoenix area as significant challenges but feels encouraged as temperatures begin to drop.

In reflecting on his coaching philosophy, McKesson said, “Set clear obtainable goals.” He believes in balancing ambition with realistic expectations to foster dedication and enjoyment among the athletes. As the season unfolds, the Sedona Red Rock High School cross-country team demonstrates resilience and determination, setting themselves up for continued success.