While running several miles in the lung-igniting heat does not rank high on many pleasure lists, sophomore Josh Hopper decided to ignore this natural inhibition and join the cross country team.

In addition to homework, Hopper participates in jazz band, worship team and announces football games with dad, Jeff. Despite a packed schedule, Hopper took on another activity to challenge himself.

“Being busy keeps things fun because you are around friends and in an energetic atmosphere,” Hopper said.

After being home-schooled until fifth grade, Hopper began his experience at Fresno Christian with a resentful attitude.

“I didn’t want to go,” Hopper said, “but both my brothers [Carson, ’08, and Daniel, ’10,] had gone to Fresno Christian and enjoyed it so my parents forced me to come. They also wanted me to go because I didn’t have any friends.”

After several years on campus, Hopper changed his harsh view of the school.

“I don’t regret coming here because I get to know a lot of people,” Hopper said. “As a result I have the chance to mold people for Jesus; I can put Christ into their life by how I act and what I say.”

Hopper’s opportunity to stretch his physical limits began when cross country started back up two years ago after a 20-year hiatus. Each year it attracts new athletes, including Hopper. In 2007, they had a team of ten, and in 2008, added a girl to their team.

This season, first year head coach Janae Ford, ’09, has built a team of six boys and five girls–eight of them new.

“Janae is the coach this year and she has been an influential leader in my life,” Hopper said, “and I thought it would be great to have her as my coach. She has been a part of taking my faith to the next level through praying with me and encouraging me.”

Coach Ford says she sees Hopper as a influential and promising runner.

“He contributes a lot to the team because he’s encouraging and never complains about the workouts,” Ford said. “Once he finishes he comes back to cheer people on. He’s able to keep up with Doug [Daniel, ’10] – he has a lot of potential and he’s a great asset to the team.”

Despite Hopper and Fords’ enthusiasm, many students do not understand cross country’s appeal.

“Running two miles seems ridiculous,” Jacob Balderas, ’11, said. “I’ve heard from some of my friends on the team that your legs burn, it’s tiring, it sucks up your time, it’s torture and I personally think it’s uninteresting.”

At a typical meet, freshman and sophomores run two miles while juniors and seniors run three miles. For some this puts immense amounts of fatigue on the body, forcing them to take a slower pace or even stop.

Hopper acknowledges cross country’s more painful attributes, but says the social and mental benefits make the challenge worthwhile.

“I knew it was going to be hard but now I’m starting to have some fun and I’ve gotten to make new and better friends,” Hopper said. “Also, cross country will help me persevere in situations like tough jobs and stressful situations in life.”

Running for extended periods of time forces the “second wind” to kick in. This task presents a tough challenge and requires the body to be in prime condition, according to former physical therapist Bill McGowen, now the campus baseball coach.

“It’s a constant battle against yourself because all these bad thoughts pop into your mind, like ‘why are you doing this? You could be at home doing other things,'” Hopper said. “Or, ‘look at that guy he’s better than you, why don’t you just stop and give up? You will never be like that.’ It’s a constant fight to resist those words.”

Hopper has his own unique way to combat discouraging thought processes while he runs.

“Some times while I’m running I’ll say Bible verses to keep me going like ‘Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you, [James 4:7],” Hopper said. “It helps me push on and it also helps when you talk to yourself and say, ‘come on, hang with him you can do it.’ It’s an intense sport that requires deep concentration.”

At the team’s first meet on Sept. 12, Hopper led the team with a time of 12:26. In the first couple of weeks he has worked his way to the top of the squad with only Daniel ahead of him to compete with.

“I’m excited because he [Josh] has a good work ethic,” Daniel said,”He’s someone who’s fast and can push me to be better. He’s encouraging, hard working and has the drive of a champion.”

For information about cross country, read the Cross country sport shorts, 2009.