Cross country is a sport built on patience.
There are no shortcuts. No quick fixes. Just miles, repetition and the willingness to keep pushing when the finish line still seems far away.
That mindset has long been part of the Frontenac Raiders cross country program, and it will once again be at the center of the team’s approach in 2026.
Frontenac enters the fall looking to develop throughout the season and put itself in position to compete when the biggest meets arrive. For a program that has produced strong individual runners and competitive teams over the years, the goal remains the same: get better every time the Raiders toe the starting line.
The program has shown that individual success can translate into team success.
Last season on the girls side, sophomore Emerson Albright won the CNC league meet, while junior Nora Anderson took eighth. On the boys side, sophomore Austin Weimer took 10th, junior Caden Russell took 11th and junior Trent Schenck took 12th.
That type of development is what the Raiders will look to continue in 2026.
Cross country presents a unique challenge because every runner has an individual race to manage while also contributing to a team score. A strong fifth runner can be just as important as the runner crossing the finish line first.
For Frontenac, that makes depth, consistency and improvement important throughout the season.
The Raiders will have opportunities to test themselves against some of the area’s strongest programs before the postseason arrives. Each race provides another chance to learn, improve times and build confidence.
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