COVID-19 Coverage

Changing Gears

Cross Country Grows Ranks From Football, Volleyball

While COVID-19 has unfortunately closed some doors and forced a change in plans for many high school athletes this fall season, new opportunities have also presented themselves during the pandemic.

When it comes to athletes attending Clymer, Sherman and Panama, cross country has emerged as one alternative to canceled football and volleyball seasons.

The Wolfpack runners, already a strong group prior to the pandemic, have now begun a season with a new contingent of athletes eager to stretch their legs.

"I think for a lot of these kids we are just trying to introduce them to the sport," C/S/P coach Ray Shrout said after hosting a meet at Panama on Tuesday. "Athletes just want to compete, they don't care what it is. If their normal sport that they do isn't there, they are going to find some way to compete, and that is kind of what you saw today. Some of those football players coming out to run, some of the volleyball players. They just want a chance to do something."

Leading the way forward has been Sherman's John Swabik, whose athletic resume is a demonstration of nothing if not versatility. In addition to his broad base of talents on the football field, Swabik also claimed a New York State Public High School Athletic Association Division II pentathlon title in Middletown a year ago.

With football in limbo, Swabik has returned to the cross country program where he first ran as a freshman, claiming sixth place with a time of 19:16 on Tuesday.

"Our top runner today, John Swabik, we all know what kind of athlete he is," Shrout said. "I think you saw today in the race that he was really focused to try and go out there -- he said early on he felt like he did when he ran back as a ninth-grader. Going out and running in the lead, I think he kind of got a little refresher on the second loop of the course today. That cardio base isn't quite there for him yet. You'll probably see another four weeks or so towards the end of the season where he will probably hold on throughout the whole race."

Joining Swabik are fellow C/S/P football players like Bryce Hinsdale, who placed 11th in 21:03.9, and Keith Gormley, who ran a 24:26.4.

For a group entering the season without a baseline of distance running experience and little time to practice, the results have already been impressive.

"(Hinsdale) had never run cross country before. I think he was a little eager, went out a little quick today, but he still ran really well," Shrout said.

On the girls side, Sherman volleyball players Hayden Fisher and Kaitlyn Lindsay have added their talents to C/S/P's roster as well.

Fisher would come in with a 28:56.5 on Tuesday, just behind Lindsay's 28:51.

Making a transition from one discipline to another is never going to be immediate, especially for sports that are as different as volleyball, football and distance running.

While learning the fundamentals and getting prepared to run a full season of races is one pursuit for C/S/P's new athletes, there is also a more basic goal in mind.

With many sports seasons canceled or delayed, and students facing new distance learning challenges, the small benefits that come from simply being a part of a team have come into focus.

"We just want to give the kids a positive experience, something positive to do throughout all of this," Shrout said.