Rebekah Watson

Junior Blake Bay is the top runner for the FC Cross Country team. After winning the Summer Sizzle meet in preseason, he raced on September 5 at the Central Valley Classic at Woodward Park.

With Fresno’s trademark summer weather lingering, the cross-country team sweats off the heat and competition, striding into a new season. Fueled by the momentum of the previous year and successful records, the team wastes no time lacing up their shoes to train months before the season starts. 

Practicing five days a week, balancing cool mornings and warm afternoons, runners have no choice but to adapt to conditions. Athletes’ training consists of a mix of challenging workouts and easier recovery runs, allowing runners to practice with intensity, strengthening balance, agility, and mobility.

Coaching cross country at Fresno Christian for four years, assistant coach Shawn Young focuses heavily on the unity of the team, emphasizing whose glory they should be striving towards.       

“If we can stay healthy through the season, we could have our fastest teams for both boys and girls in school history,” Young said. “We are also reminding athletes that their identity should be in Christ and that they are more than just the finish time on the clock from a race.”

The team has been mentally preparing for the upcoming season. Members packed up for the annual beach trip, growing together in resilience and camaraderie, and encouraging each other through every run. 

The Fleet Feet Summer Sizzle is a 2-mile pre-season race held at Woodward Park, bringing together several of the Central Valley’s top local school programs. Serving as an early benchmark, the event provides an opportunity to measure the progress of a runner’s summer training and assess their performance against local competition. 

Taking the top spot in the meet, Junior Blake Bay led the pack, reflecting on the team’s growth, excited for the improvement surrounding this upcoming season, and the deeper purpose for their running itself.

“We overall have a faster team than last year and a team that wants to work hard,” Bay said.“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to glorify God and use his gifts for him.”

Summer Sizzle Top Four Placements 

Boys

Blake Bay placed 1st (personal record) (9:15.3)

Jeremiah Valorosi placed 34th (10:02.0)

Elliot Chapman placed 46th (10:11.9)

Kaleb Johanson placed 79th (10:51.7)

Girls

Chloe Ledieff placed 18th (12:01.3

Lacy Smith placed 22nd (12:07.2)

Madison Siebert placed 45th (12:375)

Esther Feistel placed 70th (13:33.2)

In previous years, despite the dedication of FC athletes, the cross-country team has consistently been held back from further competition due to its small numbers. Sophomore Lacy Smith is a top competing triathlete and veteran runner on the team notes that there are five new runners for a total of eight running on the girls side.

“In the past, it’s been hard to score well at meets, but with a new group of strong runners, we have an even better chance at winning a league title,” Smith said. “I’m really looking forward to getting stronger with this team and helping the new kids grow.”

Due to the increase in numbers and stamina, the FC Cross Country team is hopeful to surpass league championships and have their sights set on qualifying for state.

Cross Country’s first official meet was the Central Valley Classic on Friday, Sept. 5. Athletes raced in a 3000-meter race at Woodward Park. Both FC boys and girls teams posted strong finishes. Bay came with a solid time of 9:23.62, 11 seconds before the competition and finishing seventh out of 21 teams. The girls team snagged second overall, battling 16 teams, and finishing behind Bullard High School. Smith finished 8th place with a time of 11:37.32.

The cross country team’s next meet will be the Central Valley Kingsburg Two Mile on Saturday, Sept. 13 at Kingsburg High School. 

To read more from the Feather, visit: PROMO: Girls Volleyball sets up for success or Leadership team takes exciting new strides into the 2025-26 school year.