Cross country is a sport that has a set season, yet is an activity that can persist all year. The Salida High School Cross Country Team has had five races in Colorado—Littleton, Alamosa, Canon City, Salida, Colorado Springs—and one in Fairview, Oregon during this season. Their one and only home meet occurred on October 4, 2025, with the girls’ team winning first and the boys’ team placing third. Both teams continue to build up to running at the state level competition in late October.
The team has many different goals, but one of their main focuses is to grow stronger together as the season progresses. They also aim to win the state competition. One of the ways they prepare for their season, and for the state competition, is their team campout.
Every year, they meet for a cross country team camp at a different location where they stay in cabins or a lodge. The different locations mean that the teams go on different fourteeners each year. When they’re not climbing fourteeners, they go on runs, play games, do team building exercises and talk about the upcoming season. Salida High School Junior and member of the cross country team Ani DeShazo remarked that they are always super fun. These camps provide the team members with the opportunity to learn more about each other and prepare for the long road ahead of them during the season.
DeShazo said, “We have a really strong team this year and we have come away with a few wins.” She remarked that the team has had a pretty good season so far, and looks forward to state.
She joined cross country four years ago, and has been running ever since. “I have been changed in so many ways through being part of this team, but some big things that I think of are the dedication to continue to run and work hard even when things get challenging,” said DeShazo. Knowing that there are people around her that support her and are working towards common goals is also a huge motivating factor for her.
“I really love cross country because we have such a wonderful and supportive team and group of coaches that makes me want to come back every year,” DeShazo explained.
Because the team runs together for weeks on end, they are bound to learn life skills and important lessons as a group. DeShazo said she has learned from her coach about the importance of working with her teammates to be stronger together. “[I have learned about] the importance of lifting each other up and working as a team more than as an individual, as our strength is with each other!” She also noted that she has learned persistence and dedication by seeing her teammates put in the time and effort, as well as keeping a positive mindset.
The team works hard throughout the season to build up to racing state. The cross country qualifiers will race in the state competition on the weekend of October 31st through November 2nd, and we wish them luck!
