Lauren Watts
Reporter
On Tuesday, October 20, the Dyersburg High School Cross Country Team ran in Martin at Westview High School.
Since the team is smaller in numbers, it seemed as though the team could evade COVID-19, but they have still been affected .
Out of the four boys on the team, three were required to go home to quarantine due to exposure to COVID-19. This left one member left to face the practices and the meets alone for two weeks. With fall break falling at the same time the majority of the team would be returning to school and the sport, it caused the runners and coaches to not fully meet for three weeks.
Head coach Marty Newsom chooses to view their circumstances in a positive light.
“I’m thankful for the team, and that they have the opportunity to finish out their season,” Newsom said.
Newsom has also had to take a different approach to how she will effectively coach the team due to their absences.
“Everybody’s at different levels, and with some of them having to meet guidelines and quarantine, you can’t train to the level that you need to for the end of season,” Newsom said.
Not only have the team’s goals changed, but Newsom’s goals have also changed for the team as she understands that they are also trying to catch up on missed schoolwork.
“You are a student-athlete, and student comes first,” Newsom said.
As Regionals approach this next week, Newsom is not nervous about the team and their running.
“My job as a coach isn’t necessarily to win,” Newsom said. “But to keep them safe and healthy.”
Photo by Lauren Watts
Luke Watts, a junior, leads the team into prayer before the meet.
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