Teens On The Run
You see them running all over Oahu - high school cross country runners in training for weekend races. And it turns out the sport is enjoying a revival this year
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Jeremy Kamaka‘ala battles Morgan Stephenson
back a bit.”
On the Windward side, however, it’s a different story. While Castle High School is home to Olympian decathlete Bryan Clay, and current star runner Matthew Kodama, the team roster lists only 14 runners.
“We have five on boys varsity, two on girls varsity, five on boys junior varsity, and two on girls junior varsity, and in the meets you need five members per team so we don’t even have enough to have a scoring team,” explains Martin Hee, who despite a kidney transplant and five knee operations is in his 31st year of coaching cross country and track at Castle. “We had a lot signed up, but I guess the practice was a little too hard. They don’t realize there’s nothing to do but jog and run. Also, with ball sports you play in a controlled environment. We have to run in the neighborhood streets. There’s sun and sometimes rain.
“We had a few champions during my tenure and we won the OIA championships several times and that was all nice, but when it comes down to it, if you finish the season you are a winner. I give these kids a lot of credit to stay out here and do the work they have to do. You really have to have kids who are dedicated and have some kind of commitment.”
As a fall sport, Hee believes cross country is a great way for athletes in other sports to stay conditioned.
The varsity girls sprint to the finish line at
Koko Head District Park
“Their sport might be in the winter and spring, so joining cross country will build a foundation for them and they will grow into their sport,” he explains. “For example, we have two girls whose sport isn’t cross country, but they’re outstanding runners. One is a swimmer and plays water polo, and another girl wrestles and she’s into judo. And Matthew Kodama, who is also an outstanding runner, runs cross country and then he goes into basketball and then track.
“Also, running is a healthy lifestyle that hopefully continues through life. For me, I could say I’m blessed because I was able to run in my 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. Running is an individual sport so you go as hard as you want to go.”
John Medeiros, ILH cross country coordinator and athletic director at ASSETS School, believes running may be making a comeback since its glory days in the the 1970s.
“There’s a lot of support out there from the parents from 20 years ago,” he says. “You have tons of parents and friends who come out to watch their classmates run, and I think it’s unbelievable how cross country has come into age with spectators. Depending on the meet, you could have 200 to 300 spectators.
“When I ran (for Damien High School) in the 1970s, you had hardly anyone come out to spectate. It’s hard because cross country is a non-revenue sport, and at the meets most of the time you just see the start, some of the race and the finish.”
In the moments before a race, runners display
a variety of emotions
Records show that the first state cross country meet was held in 1965, and the first girls state meet in 1973.
In hopes of drawing a larger audience, race officials say they are working on making courses more spectator friendly.
For now, drivers and residents can enjoy the occasional view of these teens on the run. And if you feel the urge, stop and cheer them on.
“Sometimes when we do interval training and hill workouts, it’s usually in residential areas, and last week all the neighbors came out and started watching us and some even gave us water,” says Ho.
Or you can watch them in race mode. There is no cost to attend cross country meets. For schedule and results, visit www.hhsaa.org
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