Any athlete who plays a sport with a ball knows that the capital punishment of most coaches is running. Nobody wants to hear the dreadful words “Okay, everyone on the line.” However, some athletes revel in the word “running”. They embrace it and make it fun. Those athletes are cross country runners.

One cross country runner for Paoli is senior Avery Rogers. Rogers has been running cross country for the Rams since seventh grade. In her last season wearing a PHS uniform for the cross country team, Rogers has made it memorable.

“My favorite part about cross country is seeing the improvements that everyone makes throughout the season. It shows that all of our hard work really does pay off,” said Rogers.

Rogers’ personal record on the course is 23:45, which she posted at the Bedford North Lawrence sectional last season. Practice is widely known as the most dreadful part for cross country runners, and the same is the case for Rogers.

“My least favorite part is when Coach Hudelson makes us play the game at practice where we have to run and catch as many people as we can but not get caught. It stresses me out and she refers to it as ‘Avery’s Favorite’,” said Rogers.

Cross country coach Summer Hudelson has been Rogers’ coach since she entered high school cross country as a freshman in 2014.

“The best thing Coach Hudelson has taught me is that running is a mental sport and I am capable of a lot more than I think,” said Rogers.

Rogers looks to finish out her season successfully as the closing weeks of the season roll in.

Story by Garrett Vincent

Photo by Lauren Umpleby